Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

9-1-1 DIAL TONE.

“Gold Dust Woman” by Fleetwood Mac plays.

EXT. FLY-OVER OF LA - DAY

RADIO ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
Good morning, Angelinos! It’s going to be another scorcher today with a call for thunderstorms in the afternoon. The city has also put out a weather advisory for air quality with the index pushing 150. So make sure you wear your sunscreen and drink lots of water, especially if you are running the Santa Monica marathon this morning!

EXT. SANTA MONICA BEACH – DAY

A crowd of runners is doing a marathon along the beach. The heat is sweltering. Everyone is sweaty and panting. A VOLUNTEER (18, female) is handing cups to runners from behind a table.

VOLUNTEER
(Handing off cups as runners pass)
Here you go. You got this! Woohoo, keep that pace going!

Farther up the beach, a MAN (50s, sun-worn) with a METAL DETECTOR is scanning the beach ahead. He is wearing a headset while the detector BEEPS.

Farther down the beach, a CYCLIST (20s, male) is dodging between pedestrians above the normal speed and RINGING his bell obnoxiously. People jump out of his way and YELL angry expletives after him. He is clearly not supposed to be on the marathon course but does not care.

One RUNNER (30s, female, athletic) is starting to breath heavier and fall behind the group.

The Metal Detector Man has his head down, bobbing along to the music while scanning the sand. He is gradually inching towards the path.

The Runner is flagging fast. She stops abruptly in front of the water table to catch her breath.

RING! The Cyclist rapidly swerves around her. The Runner falls into the table as the Cyclist clips her arm.

RUNNER
Hey, watch where you’re going!
The Cyclist turns back to shout at her as he pedals away.

CYCLIST
Don’t stop in the middle of the road!

The Metal Detector is BEEPING more rapidly as the Man steps onto the path, still with his head down, just as the Cyclist approaches, still looking back at the Runner.

VOLUNTEER
Watch out!

CRASH.

Cut music.

TITLE SEQUENCE

Chill background theme music.

INT. DIAZ RESIDENCE, EDDIE’S BEDROOM - MORNING

EDDIE is lying in bed, waking up to the sounds of his home; crutches shuffling against the floor, cupboards clanging, and light voices talking in the kitchen. Eddie blearily gets out of bed.

KITCHEN

BUCK is making breakfast while talking to CHRISTOPHER sitting at the kitchen table.

BUCK
(Handing Christopher a plate of pancakes)
Here you go bud.

Eddie enters the kitchen.

EDDIE
Smells good.

Eddie sits down at the table. Buck hands him a plate and makes one for himself.

EDDIE (CONT’D)
So, when did you bail this time?

BUCK
I left around midnight.

EDDIE
Your new neighbours still keeping you up?

BUCK
Ya, that drumkit is really loud.

CHRISTOPHER
(Mockingly)
You should just join the band. Then you could be a super cool rockstar.

BUCK
(Joking back)
Not really my scene, Superman. And I’m already a super cool firefighter.
(To Eddie)
I’m still trying to find another place but I’m not sure if I’m going to be able to break my lease.

EDDIE
Well, it’s not your fault a rock band moved into the next-door unit two months after you. Landlord should give you a break...and back-rent for all the time you’ve spent sleeping on my couch.

BUCK
(Sheepish)
It’s not so bad.

CHRISTOPHER
Buck, you sleep here more than your own apartment.

BUCK
(Making light of the situation)
Well, who would make you chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast then?

The look both Chris and Buck send Eddie makes it clear it would not be him. Eddie rolls his eyes back at them.

CHRISTOPHER
Maybe we should get a drum kit?

EDDIE
Absolutely not. Hurry up and eat. We need to move or you’re gonna be late for school.

Everyone wolfs down their last bite of food. Chris goes to get his school bag while Buck cleans up the dishes. Eddie holds out Buck’s overnight duffle.

EDDIE (CONT’D)
C’mon Rockstar, you can hitch a ride with us.

INT. FIREHOUSE, CAPTAIN’S OFFICE – DAY

CHIMNEY is sitting at the Captain’s desk, frantically sorting through papers and practicing his speech.

CHIMNEY
(Mumbling)
Your faith in this team--

HEN KNOCKS on the door.

HEN
You ready for the first day with the new full-time paramedic?

CHIMNEY
I feel like I should be the one asking you that.

HEN
(Sarcastically)
Oh, you know me, stoic in the face of change. Bending with the wind in a gentle breeze.

CHIMNEY
(More serious than sarcastic)
Ya, you’re everyone’s rock.
(Beat)
Listen, I know it’s been weird, us not being partners--

HEN
Chim, we don’t have to do this--

CHIMNEY
No, I need to say this...Things have been pretty up in the air since I became Captain. And I’ve felt a little out of my depth with all the changes, what with the new baby and the longer hours, and the changes to the team. And you’ve been nothing but supportive but there hasn’t really been any time for us. And I know that everything has changed, but I want you to know that you and me, that never will. Even if we’re not partners, you’re always going to be my best friend.

HEN
Chim, I know you’ve been busy. And no one is expecting any more from you than what you are able to give right now. Least of all me. And if you need help with anything--

CHIMNEY
No, I’ve got it handled.

HEN
I know you do, I’m just saying if you wanted any help with things I could--

A COMOTION from outside the door breaks up their conversation.

CHIMNEY
Like I said, I’ve got it. Now go greet your new partner.

FIREHALL

Eddie is walking in with a bright smile on his face, being clapped on the back by the other FIREFIGHTERS including RAVI. Buck is trailing in behind him.

HEN
Welcome back Firefighter Paramedic Diaz.

EDDIE
It’s good to be back.

RAVI
How was training?

EDDIE
Intense. I thought it would be more of a refresher course from the army but the Los Angeles Fire Department doesn’t play when it comes to medical safety. Four months of grueling memorization.

BUCK
He’s being modest. He breezed through it.

EDDIE
(Punching Buck on the shoulder)
Only because I had the best practice dummy in the biz.

Chimney comes out from his office door where he had been watching.

CHIMNEY
Alright everyone huddle up!

The Firefighters gather round.

CHIMNEY (CONT’D)
Congratulations to Eddie on completing his paramedic training--

HOOTS and CHEERS from the group.

CHIMNEY (CONT’D)
You’re getting the best partner in all of LA - sorry Buck but no one compares to Hen - so take good care of her...Thank you to Sanchez for filling in. We’ll miss you on A-shift but I know B-shift is happy to have you back.
(Awkwardly silent pause)
Look, I know this is a lot of change for everyone but it’s important that we keep what Bobby built alive. Your faith in each other and dedication to this team, this city, is the most valuable thing you can bring to work with you everyday. I didn’t think I would ever be taking over the Captaincy - again - but I’d like to thank all of you for making this as smooth a transition as possible. Um, so, good luck today and stay safe.

The ALARM sounds.

CHIMNEY (CONT’D)
Alright, let’s go 118!

9-1-1 CALL SCREEN and TONE

DISPATCHER (V.O.)
9-1-1 what’s your emergency?

CALLER (VOLUNTEER, V.O.)
The tires stopped spinning!

EXT. SANTA MONICA BEACH - DAY

Intense background theme music.

SIRENS. The engine door SLAMS. The 118 Firefighters arrive on scene, Chimney leading the group of Hen, Eddie, Buck, and Ravi.

CHIMNEY
What do we got?

They approach the scene, a crowd gathering around. The worried Volunteer rushes up to them, still clutching her phone after calling 9-1-1.

VOLUNTEER
They weren’t looking where they were going and just plowed right into each other!

The crowd parts to reveal the dazed Cyclist and Metal Detector Man. Their limbs are both tangled in the bicycle’s wheels, each with a leg stuck. The metal detector is snapped in half a few feet away.

CYCLIST
(Concussed and belligerent)
This idiot stepped into the road as I was passing.

The Runner, who is still standing by the accident, clutching her arm, scoffs at the Cyclist.

RUNNER
(Indignant)
This idiot was running down everybody on his bike!

CYCLIST
It’s a public bike path! Share the road!

RUNNER
It’s a registered run day! You aren’t supposed to be on the road!

Chimney steps in to diffuse the tension.

CHIMNEY
(Guiding the Runner away)
Alright how about I take a look at you over here while they check those two out. Is your arm injured?

Buck and Ravi move to push the gathered crowd of onlookers back. Hen and Eddie get to work checking on the two men stuck in the bicycle.

HEN
(Prodding the Metal Detector Man’s foot)
Can you feel that?

His foot is rapidly swelling and turning blue.

Metal Detector Man
(Groaning)
Yes...Who bikes on the running path during a race?

CYCLIST
Who doesn’t look up before crossing the road?!

EDDIE
(Prodding the Cyclist’s foot)
Does this hurt?

METAL DETECTOR MAN
You were the one going way too fast! And you broke my metal detector! You’re going to pay for that!

CYCLIST
You broke my bike! We’re in this mess because you were so focused on that thing finding some random junk--

The Cyclist is gesticulating angrily which jostles the bicycle. The Metal Detector Man groans in pain.

EDDIE
Hey, calm down!

Eddie firmly stabilizes the Cyclist and draws his attention away from the other Man.

EDDIE (CONT’D)
(Annoyed, prodding the foot again)
Can you feel this?

CYCLIST
Huh?

The Cyclist finally realizes he’s lost feeling in his leg.

CYCLIST (CONT’D)
(Growing frantically concerned)
I can’t feel my leg!

Eddie and Hen share a concerned glance. Eddie scrapes along the Cyclist’s ankle while Hen checks his eyes.

EDDIE
How about that?

The Cyclist is preoccupied with Hen’s eye check but his lack of response makes it clear he still can’t feel his leg.

HEN
Pupils are equal and reactive, but he probably still has a concussion.

CYCLIST
(Panicking)
Am I going to lose my leg?!

EDDIE
No, just stop moving...We need to get this bike off him.
(Looking over his shoulder)
Buck?

BUCK
(Jumping into action)
Saw. Got it.

Buck runs back to the engine to get the saw. Chimney comes back over to the group.

CHIMNEY
She seems fine, just a bruised arm. How are we doing over here.

HEN
Multiple sprains and a concussion.
(Quietly so the Patients don’t hear)
I think the swelling is compressing a nerve in that one. We need to get him out fast to prevent permanent damage.

CHIMNEY
(Into his radio)
Dispatch, we’re going to need another R.A. Unit.

Buck comes rushing back, saw in hand. He and Ravi lay fire protection blankets over both men.

BUCK
Just gonna put this over you...Ravi keep the bike stable.

SPARKS fly as the saw WHIRRS. Everyone works together to break the bicycle apart and separate the two Men.

MOMENTS LATER and they’re both on stretchers. The Metal Detector Man is being loaded into the back of an ambulance. He still has his foot through the detached wheel of the bicycle with his leg stabilized. Buck and Eddie are removing the last of the wheel from the Cyclist’s leg.

EDDIE
That should bring some blood flow back. We’ll monitor it on the way to the hospital.

A SIREN and SLAMMING police cruiser door announce the arrival of ATHENA.

ATHENA
We got a call about a reckless driver?

The Runner who has been standing quietly by, jumps up angrily.

RUNNER
(Pointing to the cyclist)
He ran me off the road!

CYCLIST
She stopped in the middle of it!

VOLUNTEER
She was running the race. You are not supposed to be biking on this path today.

ATHENA
Sir, ma’am, please calm down. I will take all of your statements individually.

The sounds of BICKERING fade into the background as Hen approaches Athena.

HEN
Hell of a first day back. Still want to deal with this kind of crazy?

ATHENA
Better than the stir crazy I was going sitting around that empty house.

The ARGUING gets louder. The Runner is turning red in the face, breathing heavy. Chimney is trying to reason with the Cyclist.

CHIMNEY
Sir, you need to lay back or you’re going to exacerbate your injuries.

RUNNER
(Beginning to cough)
You cyclists all think you have the run of the road!

CYCLIST
Me?! You runners are always taking up all the space in your little packs! Maybe next time I should just start bowling you over!

ATHENA
Sir--

The runner is coughing harder and harder.

HEN
Ma’am are you alright?

The Runner waves her off.

RUNNER
(Addressing the Cyclist)
Next time?! You already did!

CYCLIST
You entitled little--

The Runner’s cough reaches a crescendo and she abruptly keels over, falling to the ground.

Hen and Eddie abandon the Cyclist and rush over to the Runner on the ground.

HEN
(Checking her airway)
She’s not breathing.

EDDIE
(Checking the pulse at her wrist)
No pulse.

Hen starts CPR. Ravi comes running in with the AED. Athena, and Buck are still standing by the Cyclist’s stretcher. Everyone gathered around has gone silent.

CHIMNEY
(Addressing the crowd)
Is anyone here with this woman?

There’s no answer.

VOLUNTEER
She’s one of the race runners. She had been with the middle pack but stopped at the water station.

ATHENA
Is there a way to get her name from the race organizers?

VOLUNTEER
(Brandishing her phone)
I can check.

The Volunteer steps away as focus is drawn back to the Paramedics. The Runner is still unconscious on the ground and she now has AED paddles strapped to her chest. There’s the prolonged TONE of a flatline.

EDDIE
Charge...Clear!

Hen pauses CPR as the Runner is SHOCKED. After a short pause, the heart monitor begins BEEPING with a steady rhythm.

The Runner slowly comes to.

RUNNER
(Groggy)
What happened?

HEN
You gave us a hell of a scare is what happened. Can you tell me your name?

RUNNER
Kat.

HEN
Alright Kat, I’m Hen. Your heart stopped. Probably from overexerting yourself during the race.

KAT
That doesn’t make any sense. I run these all the time.

HEN
(Confused)
Do you have a family history of heart problems?

KAT
I don’t think so.

HEN
Well, we’re going to take you to the hospital for some farther tests.

A SHOUT up the beach draws attention to a WOMAN (30s) and a BOY (14) pushing through the crowd, guided by the Volunteer.

VOLUNTEER
We found her family!

BOY
Mom!

The Boy tries to rush into his Mom on the ground but the other Woman holds him back. She stares concernedly at the AED wires coming from Kat’s chest.

WOMAN
You didn’t finish when we thought you would so we’ve been back-tracking. What happened?

HEN
(Downplaying it to not scare the boy)
She had some heart trouble so we’re going to take her to the hospital to get checked out.

KAT
(Referring to the Woman and Boy)
Can my wife and son ride in the ambulance?

HEN
Yes, of course.

Kat is loaded onto a stretcher as a SIREN announces the arrival of another R.A. Unit.

ATHENA
(Addressing the Cyclist)
Looks like your ride is here. An Officer will be by the hospital to follow up on the charges.

The NEW PARAMEDICS start rolling away the Cyclist’s stretcher, loading him into the ambulance.

CYCLIST
Charges? What charges?

ATHENA
Reckless endangerment, destruction of property, harassment...Shall I go on?

CYCLIST

I didn’t endanger anybody! They were taking up the whole road--

The ambulance door SLAMS.

INT. HAN RESIDENCE, LIVING ROOM – DAY

MADDIE is bouncing newborn ROBERT while walking around the room.

A KNOCK sounds.

Maddie goes to answer the front door, pulling it open to Athena, still in her police uniform.

MADDIE
Athena? What are you doing here?

ATHENA
Oh, I was just in the nieghbourhood ...Thought I’d stop by to see my favourite godson.

Maddie passes baby Robby to a cooing Athena.

MADDIE
Well, he’d love to see you too. Sorry Jee just went down for her nap.

Athena waves her off, enamoured with the baby.

MADDIE (CONT’D)
(Probing)
Isn’t today your first shift?

ATHENA
Yes, well like I said I was in the neighbourhood. I already ran into the 118 this morning.

Maddie directs Athena to sit on the couch with her.

MADDIE
How were they doing?

ATHENA
Fine. It was a pretty regular call by their standards--

MADDIE
(Joking)
So, no one got struck by lightning or trapped underground?

Maddie realizes it might have been the wrong thing to say too late. There’s an awkward pause, Athena wanting to brush off the bad memories and Maddie deciding if she wants to push.

MADDIE (CONT’D)
Sorry, I know we don’t normally talk about that stuff--

ATHENA
No, no, it’s fine.
(Beat)
It’s good, actually. You and Chim letting me come over to see Robby. The house gets so quiet sometimes.

MADDIE
It’s what Bobby would’ve done. He was always there for me and Chim whenever things were tough, Chim especially.

ATHENA
Family was always the most important thing to him.

MADDIE
(Clarifying)
And you are, family. I’m always here if you want to talk to anyone.

ATHENA
So much has happened I wouldn’t even know where to start.

Maddie hesitates, stealing her emotions to share something from a vulnerable place.

MADDIE
You know, that day at the lab, I was the one who took the call.

Maddie pauses to see if she’s pushed to far, but Athena is listening intently.

MADDIE (CONT’D)
When I’m at the call centre I’m usually the first to know what’s going on, and that day I was with them the whole time, but I wasn’t with them. When that explosion went off there was a moment, a really long moment actually, where I thought the worst. I couldn’t get through to anyone on the team and all I could think about was our little girl at home, and this little one right here.
(She gestures to Robert)
And then Buck checked in and he was so panicked, I just had to draw it all back in. Stay calm because that’s my job...

Maddie trails off with a haunted look.

ATHENA
Bobby was on the phone when I was attacked a couple years ago. He heard the whole thing. Every moment I was fighting for my life, fighting to make it home to my family...I think that’s what I’ve found so hard about all of this. That he didn’t fight--

MADDIE
He didn’t feel like he had a choice--

ATHENA
I know.
(Beat)
I thought I was alone that night and I didn’t know about the open radio channel until after, but Bobby stayed with me the whole time anyway. He didn’t let me go through it alone...When he closed that door at the lab, all I could think was that I didn’t want him to be alone.

MADDIE
And he wasn’t. You were there for him just like he was there for you.

ATHENA
Then why wasn’t it enough this time?

Both women are weighed down by grief. Constant worry for their family’s safety has taken its toll.

MADDIE
I’ve been asking myself that everyday. When I first started this job I used to think we’d all make it out ok, that as long as I was on top of things and they all watched over each other then everyone would come home. We’d had some close calls but everything always turned out ok. And then Buck died for three minutes. And there was a time where I realized I was wrong. But then he came back, and I really started to think they might actually be invincible. That they would always be that lucky...

ATHENA
Until they weren’t.

MADDIE
(Agreeing)
Until they weren’t.
(Beat)
I feel like I’m going a little crazy by myself here. The night of the lighting strike an Officer showed up at my door to tell me the news and for months afterwards I would jump every time someone knocked on the door. Just at the possibility that someone was going to give me the worst news of my life again. And now when I think about going back to work...I don’t know if I can be the one to pick up a call like that again. To decide that they’re the ones to go.

ATHENA
(Hesitating)
I almost couldn’t get out of the car today. When I arrived on the scene and saw the 118 trucks, I just had the strongest sense of déjà vu. I really believed that Bobby was going to walk out from behind the engine, and he’d smile like he always did when we met at a scene. But I knew he wouldn’t and for a minute I thought I wasn’t going to be able to do it. Even though the rest of them are still there...

MADDIE
It’s not the same.

Athena nods. She’s holding herself together but the cracks are breaking through

ATHENA
It’s never going to be the same again. I’ve been through so much heartbreak in my life already, and I got up every time. But this time...it’s like there’s this cloud over everything, weighing me down.
(Dramatic pause)
Everything has changed and I don’t know if I have it in me to change with it again.

9-1-1 DIAL TONE.

EXT. THE WOODS – NIGHT

20-25 PEOPLE are standing in a CLEARING in the woods. They are getting ready for some sort of scavenger hunt. The ORGANIZER (30s, female) is standing at the head of the crowd, shouting to be heard.

ORGANIZER
Welcome everyone to the annual Glow in the Dark Scavenger Hunt!

The Crowd CHEERS. Focus is drawn to a group of four (20s, two boys, two girls) CAL, KYLE, LINDSEY, and MEGHAN. They’re holding blacklights and laughing as they shine the lights on each others arms and faces, lighting up glow in the dark paint.

LINDSEY
(Shielding her eyes but still laughing)
Ah, Kyle, watch the eyes.

CAL
Ya Kyle, no sabotaging my teammate.

MEGHAN
Your teammate? No way am I spending an entire night with Kyle.

CAL
C’mon Meghan you two worked fine on that bio project together.

MEGHAN
No, we did not. I did all the work.

KYLE
As if. I absolutely carried us.

MEGHAN
No way--

LINDSEY
It doesn’t matter who we pair up with. I can go with Meghan and Cal can go with Kyle.

KYLE
Well, we can’t just let you two run off in the dark alone.

LINDSEY
Oh, I think we’ll be totally fine on our own...In fact, want to make it interesting?

KYLE
What did you have in mind?

LINDSEY
If we find more tokens than you, you have to take notes in the sociology lecture for us for a month.

KYLE
Aw c’mon I hate that class.

MEGHAN
Scared you won’t win?

KYLE
No. Me and Cal have got this in the bag. You’re on!

Zooming back out to the larger crowd, the Organizer is explaining the rules.

ORGANIZER
There are tokens hidden in the surrounding woods. You’ll be able to find them using your blacklights. Each will give you a clue to the location of the Grand Prize!

More CHEERING.

ORGANIZER (CONT’D)
All of the tokens are within the hunting boundary so be on the lookout for marked trees. And a reminder that you must stick with your partner at all times! You have two hours to find as many tokens as you can and maybe even the Grand Prize. Good luck everybody and let’s get hunting!

“Shot in the Dark” by AC/DC plays

Everyone runs into the woods in different directions to start searching. Cal and Kyle split up from Lindsey and Meghan with good luck remarks.

Montage of everyone searching through the woods. Every once in a while, a group passes a tree with a glowing yellow marker, indicating the search boundary, and turns in the opposite direction to keep hunting.

Lindsey and Meghan are happily finding tokens easily, their blacklights highlighting items on the ground and in the trees. Cal and Kyle are finding considerably less and growing frustrated.

KYLE
Dude, we’re never gonna find the big one if we keep going at this pace.

CAL
Maybe we should try looking in a different area?

KYLE
We still haven’t finished covering this section. Lindsey and Meghan are totally going to beat us if we don’t get it together.
(He pauses to think)
What if we split up?

CAL
They said we have to stick with our partners.

KYLE
We haven’t run into anybody in, like, 10 minutes. They’re not gonna find out if we don’t tell them. And then we could cover twice the ground in half the time!

CAL
(Hesitantly thinking it over)
I guess it would be faster...

KYLE
Absolutely man! Alright, you keep searching here and I’ll head over in that direction and then we’ll meet up just outside the clearing in, like, an hour. Then we’ll walk in together with our bounty and no one will suspect a thing.

CAL
(Still a little hesitant)
Ok.

Kyle WHOOPS and runs off into the woods, leaving Cal alone in the dark. He wanders through the woods, scanning for tokens.

Zooming in on a tree, a yellow marker, the glow faded, indicates the edge of the treasure hunt boundary. Not seeing the sign, Cal continues past it, farther into the trees.

Some time later, Kyle arrives back at the CLEARING. He sticks to the edge, shadowed by the trees while waiting for Cal to get back. At the opposite end of the clearing, Lindsey and Meghan run out of the trees, CHEERING and LAUGHING as they carry the Grand Prize trophy between them.

Cal still hasn’t turned up and Kyle is beginning to get worried.

DEEP IN THE WOODS

Back with Cal, he is still walking through the woods, scanning around with his blacklight. The darkness and solitude are making him nervous, jumping as the wind RUSTLES through the trees.

A HOOT in the tree above startles Cal into looking up. He continues to walk backwards, tripping over a tree root. He rapidly catches his footing, stumbling backwards before stopping. Cal lets out a breath of relief, turning around to keep walking when--

SLIP. Cal tumbles into a shallow ravine.

Cut music.

9-1-1 CALL SCREEN and TONE.

DISPATCHER (V.O.)
9-1-1 what’s your emergency?

LINDSEY (V.O.)
Cal’s lost in the dark!

CLEARING IN THE WOODS

SIRENS announce the 118 pulling up to the forest clearing. The scavenger hunt group is waiting there but only 3 of the 4 friends have returned. Cal is still missing.

Lindsey flags down the Firefighters as they approach.

CHIMNEY
You the one who called?

LINDSEY
Yes. Our friend Cal was supposed to come back with Kyle but he never turned up.

MEGHAN
Kyle just left him out there!

The girls shoot Kyle dirty looks.

Kyle
(Defensive)
He agreed to split up! He said he’d be back by now.

CHIMNEY
(Over the childish arguing)
What direction did you leave him in?

KYLE
(Pointing into the woods)
We split up about a mile that way.

CHIMNEY
(Addressing the Firefighters)
Alright, let’s start search-and-rescue on foot. This tree cover is too dense for air support, so it’ll just be us. Pair off and start with a search grid in that direction.

Hen and Eddie head off into the woods, med-bags on their shoulders. Buck hesitates a moment before turning to Ravi and they run off as well. Chimney is left with the trucks and worried friends as the rest of the search party disperses. Looking a little lost without his team, he turns to the group of friends.

CHIMNEY
Do any of you need medical attention?

DEEP IN THE WOODS

Chill background theme music.

Eddie and Hen are shining their flashlights through the trees, calling out for Cal.

HEN
Cal!

EDDIE
LAFD! Cal are you out here?

When there’s no response, Hen probes to start a conversation with Eddie.

HEN
So, Chris is starting high school this year. Have you gotten him enrolled back in LA yet?

EDDIE
Ya, Carla helped me find a school. It’s got great accessibility and teachers and Chris is really excited about the robotics club.

HEN
Robotics club? Karen’s been trying to get Denny into that for years.

EDDIE
I think his old school in El Paso had something like it, but my dad forced him into chess instead. Classic Ramone. But at least Chris can try it out now that he’s back home.

HEN
And how’s that been going? Being back home?

EDDIE
It’s been good. I mean, there’s still some hiccups of course. There’s some foods and stuff that he likes now that he didn’t before but I’m catching on. And we’re figuring out what kind of leeway he has now that he’s a little more grown-up. I don’t want to helicopter parent but it’s hard to let go sometimes.

HEN
Don’t I know it. Denny’s been asking for a later curfew and I know he’s ready for it but I’m not sure me and Karen are.

EDDIE
I just don’t know where to draw the line, you know? I want him to have his freedom but I also want him to be safe. And most importantly I want him to trust me again.

HEN
And you’re working on that. You’ve both made so much progress from where you were last year.

EDDIE
I know. I just wish it would go a little faster.

HEN
It isn’t something you can rush. You just have to take it as it comes.

They both trail off, shining their lights through the trees to look for Cal.

EDDIE
Cal!

There’s still no response.

HEN
(Probing again)
And how have you been doing?

EDDIE
(Confused)
I told you, we’re working on it.

HEN
No, you as in Eddie. Solely Eddie. You’ve had a lot of big changes recently.

Eddie pauses for a moment, taken aback. As usual, he hasn’t thought much about his own feelings and it shows.

EDDIE
I’m good, I guess. Adjusting.
(He thinks about it for a moment)
The move was pretty hectic, what with selling the house and packing everything up, packing up all of Chris’s stuff - my parents really bought him a lot while he was there. Everything happened so fast with moving in and getting Chris settled and signed up for school...I guess I just haven’t really thought about it.

HEN
And work? I know this partnership change isn’t easy on any of us. I’ve worked with Chim for so many years and you and Buck have spent almost your whole careers together...

EDDIE
Ya, it’s been different. Honestly Buck was a huge help while I was doing paramedic training. He’d spend time with Chris when I was busy and help me with studying. I don’t know what I’d do without him.
(Beat)
And its not like this has to change anything between us. I mean it’s not like we don’t see each other enough. We still spend every shift together, even if we’re not paired up.

HEN
(Joking)
And in the meantime you’ll settle for me?

EDDIE
(Joking back)
Only if you’ll accept my mediocrity in place of Chim’s excellence.

They both laugh, continuing into the woods and calling out for Cal.

Somewhere else in the woods, Buck and Ravi are looking through the trees.

BUCK
Do you think Eddie’s found anything yet.

RAVI
(A little annoyed)
I think Hen and Eddie would’ve radioed if they did.

BUCK
Right, ya.
(Beat)
But do you think--

A muffled YELL sounds through the trees. Buck and Ravi perk up and rush in that direction.

BUCK
Cal!

Rushing forward, Eddie almost misses the drop-off into the ravine, but Hen pulls him back just in time.

RAVI
Cal?

CAL
(Groaning)
Down here!

They peer over the edge and see Cal lying at the bottom. One of his legs is at a slightly awkward angle.

RAVI
Don’t move, we’re coming down to get you!

BUCK
(Into his radio)
This is Buckley. We’ve found Cal. Cap, we’re gonna need some gear.

Background theme music becomes more intense.

Moments later, the rest of the 118 have arrived at the ravine. Chimney is setting up the winch while Eddie and Buck put on harnesses.

BUCK
Rope check!

Buck turns around expecting Eddie to check his harness but comes face-to-face with Ravi instead. Ravi checks the harness while Buck watches Eddie and Hen going through their med-bags a few feet away.

RAVI
You’re good to go man.

BUCK
(Snapping back to reality)
Uh, ya, thanks.

Eddie and Buck hook into the ropes and rappel down the cliff, landing next to Cal.

Eddie begins assessing for injuries. Cal lets out a pained HISS when Eddie pokes his knee.

EDDIE
It might be dislocated. Let’s get you stabilized and then we can pull you out of here.

Eddie puts a C-collar on Cal and splints his knee.

CAL
I’m so stupid. They told us not to split up but Kyle said it would be faster. I knew we shouldn’t but I let him talk me into it anyway.

EDDIE
You’re not stupid you’re just young. You’re going to make mistakes and you’re going to learn from them.

CAL
This feels like a really stupid mistake to learn from.

BUCK
Don’t worry we’ve seen loads of dumber stuff.

EDDIE
And they were hurt for way dumber reasons.

CAL
I just wanted to win. I thought maybe if we came back with the trophy then Lindsey, she’s on this other team with Meghan, then maybe she would be impressed with me or something. She’s always impressed with Kyle.

BUCK
Well, this definitely got her attention.

EDDIE
Ya, she was pretty worried about you.

CAL
(Excited)
Really?

EDDIE
Ya, but speaking from experience, maybe skip the dramatics next time and just tell her how you feel.

Buck receives the basket that is being lowered down by Ravi and they load Cal in.

BUCK
(Into his radio)
Alright, bring him up.

Cal is hoisted in the basket back up the cliff with Eddie guiding him. Buck is watching from below and packing up the med-bag.

Once Cal and Eddie reach the top, Buck ascends as well. When he gets to the top, Ravi is waiting for him with a smile and a fist bump which Buck happily returns as Eddie and Hen check over their Patient.

CLEARING IN THE WOODS

The 118 arrives back at the clearing just as the sun is coming up. They’re heading back to the firetrucks when the Friends all rush up to the group to see Cal in the basket.

KYLE
Dude, what happened?

LINDSEY
Are you ok?

KYLE
How did you get lost? I only left you for, like, 10 minutes.

MEGHAN
You guys never should’ve split up at all. We were so worried about you Cal.

LINDSEY
Ya, next time, you’re on my team.

CAL
We can be partners?

Lindsey reaches out and grabs Cal’s hand.

LINDSEY
Ya, I’ll make sure you aren’t alone in the dark.

The 118 carry Cal off to the ambulance. Lindsey holds his hand the whole way.

INT. FIREHOUSE LOFT – MORNING

Hen, Eddie, and Buck are sitting around the dining table, quietly talking and laughing. Chimney is pulling a hot dish out of the oven in the kitchen. Ravi comes up the loft stairs, dragging his feet groggily before slumping into his chair at the table.

HEN
(Poking fun at Ravi)
And the princess has awoken.

BUCK
Hey, he’s gotta make sure to get that beauty sleep.

RAVI
I do not know how you guys do these late-night calls and 48-hour shifts.

EDDIE
It’s just part of the job.

Chimney interrupts by setting the final plate of food on the table.

CHIMNEY
(Weary)
Breakfast is served.

Chimney takes his seat as everyone digs in.

HEN
This looks amazing Chim.

BUCK
Ya, thanks for cooking man. You know, I wouldn’t mind making a few meals. I’ve got all the ones Bobby taught me memorized--

CHIMNEY
It’s ok I’ve got it covered.

There’s an awkward pause as Hen and Buck share a LOOK.

EDDIE
(Diffusing tension)
Well, I don’t care who cooks as long as it’s not me.

RAVI
(Joking along)
I think all of us don’t care as long as it’s not you.

Everyone is chewing happily, well into their meals and laughing at the conversation.

HEN
You’re all still coming to Denny’s baseball game tonight, right? It’s the finals and he’s really excited to show off his batting skills.

EDDIE
Of course. Just gotta pick up Chris and then we’ll head over.

Buck nods along in agreement. It’s clear he is part of that plan.

CHIMNEY
Yep, I’ll swing by the house to grab Maddie and the kids. Jee’s really been looking forward to it.

RAVI
What do you do at a kid’s baseball game anyway? I’m assuming there will not be beer and hotdogs involved.

CHIMNEY
You bet on the kids.

HEN
Karen and I have odds on Jimmy L, not to be confused with Jimmy M who’s pitching is honestly terrible. But don’t tell Denny.

BUCK
Oooh, betting against your own kid.

HEN
Hey, I’m the one paying for baseball. You would like to think kids sporting equipment would be cheaper but no such luck. And they grow out of the stuff every year.

RAVI
The grind of capitalism continues to punish the youths.

EDDIE
(Mockingy)
Ok landlord.

RAVI
(Pointing between Eddie and Buck)
Weren’t you literally his landlord?

BUCK
Only for like 3 months.

EDDIE
And I’m not his landlord anymore.

RAVI
Because you kicked him out?

BUCK
Hey now, I offered to move out. Besides, I was just keeping the place warm for when Eddie came home, it was never my place to begin with.

EDDIE
Hey, I offered you the den. God knows you’ve spent enough time on my couch already.

HEN
The apartment hunt not going well?

BUCK
You know how LA is.

CHIMNEY
You could always do what we did. Buy a condemned home that no one wants to live in for really cheap. Just make sure you’re nice to the spirits so they don’t haunt you in the night.

BUCK
As nice as that sounds, I don’t really know what I’m looking for. I know I’m ready for something a little more upscale than the loft and obviously with better neighbours than my current place, but am I ready for something permanent?

RAVI
I’ve got a two-bed going on the market next week if you’re looking to buy. But it’s located in Northridge.

Buck cringes, thinking of the long commute.

BUCK
I think I’ll pass. I spend enough time in LA traffic as it is.

EDDIE
Well, until you figure out what you’re looking for, you are always welcome on the couch.

9-1-1 DIAL TONE.

INT. GROCERY STORE – DAY

“Dancing in the Dark” by Bruce Springsteen plays.

It is the 1970s and a WOMAN (20s) is pushing a cart through the grocery store. She’s looking at apples when she drops one. As she goes to pick it up, another HAND beats her to it. Rising, she comes face-to-face with an attractive MAN (20s). He smiles charmingly and passes the apple back.

Another day, the Woman is shopping again. She is standing in the checkout line, waiting for the CASHIER (teenager, male) to ring up her items, when someone behind her in line holds out an apple. It’s the same Man as last time. The Woman takes the apple, smitten.

Another day, it’s raining hard outside. The bell above the door RINGS as the Woman and Man come running into the store. They’re holding hands, laughing, and clearly on a date. As they go to checkout, the Cashier smiles at their drowned appearance.

Another day, the Man is shopping alone, picking out a bushel of apples. As he goes to checkout with the Cashier, he fingers a ring box from his pocket.

A couple years later, the Woman comes into the grocery store heavily pregnant. She grabs a bunch of apples and checks out with the Cashier, now in their 20s.

A few more years go by, the Woman and Man come into the store. The man is carrying a TODDLER (male) and the Woman carries an INFANT (female).

Almost two decades later, the store has been overhauled to suit the times. The entire Family walks in, the SON is wearing a graduation cap and gown. The DAUGHTER makes a bee-line for the candy and sneakily tries to slip it onto the checkout belt. The Cashier is now in his 40s.

Many years have passed. The Woman walks in with her adult Daughter, who has a CHILD of her own. The Daughter’s HUSBAND trails after them, pushing the Man in a wheelchair.

Present day, the store has a fully modern look. The Woman, now in her 70s, is alone. She pushes her cart around the store, looking at the apple selection. The Cashier, now in his 60s, waves from the till and the Woman waves back.

The music fades out.

The bell RINGING above the door announces the arrival of MAY. She’s talking to HARRY on the phone as she starts her shopping.

MAY
(Into the phone)
Harry, we cannot have chicken parm for dinner twice in one week.

Harry is at ATHENA’S HOUSE, looking at an almost-empty fridge.

HARRY
(Over the phone)
Why not? Mom loves chicken parm. Bobby used to make it all the time.

MAY
Exactly. Are you going to put the same amount of work into tenderizing the chicken that he did.

HARRY
No.
(Beat)
We could always make waffles?

In the STORE, the bell above the door RINGS again as a HOODED MAN (20s) enters the store. There is a flash of LIGHTNING outside.

MAY
Why is your answer always waffles?

HARRY
Hey, waffles are a classic. Who doesn’t like breakfast for dinner?

May approaches the apple stand where the Woman is still looking through the fruit. She drops one and May quickly bends down to pick it up. They smile at each other as May passes the apple back.

WOMAN
Thank you.

MAY
No problem.
(Into the phone)
No Harry, we are not having waffles for dinner. But you are welcome to make them for breakfast tomorrow morning.

HARRY
You should pick up some strawberries then. You know mom likes strawberries on her waffles...

As May walks away, she notices the Cashier is having a muffled conversation with the Hooded Man that is starting to get heated. May surreptitiously wanders to a better vantage point in the store, trying to overhear what they’re talking about.

HARRY
May? May are you listening?

MAY
Uh, ya, just a sec. There’s a man at the store who’s being weird.

HARRY
Weird? Weird how?

May comes around an aisle and can just make out the Hooded Man pointing something at the Cashier. It’s a gun.

MAY
(Quietly)
Harry, call mom right now.

HARRY
May, what--

The Hooded Man sees May out the corner of his eye and abruptly turns to her. He knows she’s seen the gun. May quickly hangs up the phone.

HOODED MAN
(Panicked and angry)
Who were you calling?

MAY
My brother. He was asking what we were having for dinner.

May’s mind is running a mile a minute. It’s been a while, but her dispatcher training is kicking in, keeping her calm.

MAY
I’m May. I just came to get some groceries because my brother and I are cooking for our mom tonight.

The normalcy of the conversation seems to confuse the Hooded Man. He pauses, the hand holding the gun is shaking vigorously.

MAY
We’re making chicken parm. It’s one of my mom’s favourites. My stepdad used to make it for us all the time.

HOODED MAN
Used to?

MAY
He passed away a couple months ago.

HOODED MAN
Oh. My uh, my sister died a couple weeks ago.

MAY
That must be hard. I know I miss my stepdad a lot. He was a really good person. Really helped our family a lot.

HOODED MAN
Ya, my sister was kind of my rock. I don’t really know what I’m doing without her.

MAY
My mom’s been taking it pretty hard. My brother and I have been trying to do what we can for her but sometimes it doesn’t feel like I can make it better.

HOODED MAN
I’ve been looking after my nephew since she died. I-I don’t really know what I’m doing either. It’s been really hard.

MAY
How old is your nephew?

HOODED MAN
He’s nine.

MAY
Nine. What’s his name?

HOODED MAN
Ryan.

MAY
Ryan. And what’s your name?

The HOODED MAN hesitates for a moment, growing stressed again but May is slowly gaining trust.

HOODED MAN
Clark.

MAY
Clark, where’s Ryan right now?

HOODED MAN (CLARK)
At home. I-I didn’t want to leave him but I needed to get food and-and I couldn’t take him with me.

MAY
I understand. What were you planning to do here Clark?

Clark seems to become aware of the surrounding store again. The Cashier is still standing behind the till, raptly watching the exchange between Clark and May. A couple aisles away, the Woman has paused her shopping and now stands watching in shock.

CLARK
I-I just needed some money. And some food. I-I didn’t want to cause any trouble.

MAY
Do you need the money for Ryan?

CLARK
He wants to go on this field trip for school. I just lost my job and I can’t afford it but I can’t tell him that. He’s already going through so much.

MAY
The school can probably help you with the trip fees--

CLARK
No! They can’t find out about it.

MAY
Find out about what?

CLARK
That I can’t take care of him! That I’m letting him down, I’m letting everyone down! My sister left me this one thing to do but between all the medical bills and childcare--

MAY
That sounds like a lot. It would be a lot for anyone.

CLARK
I don’t know how to do any of it! But I can’t let him down. I can’t let her down!

Clark turns back to the till, pointing the gun at the Cashier again. His hand is shaking even more.

CLARK
Empty the register!

MAY
Clark, there are people who can help you through this--

CLARK
No! They’re going to take Ryan away. I won’t let them take him away.

MAY
No one is going to take Ryan away.

CLARK
Stop talking!
(Shaking the gun at the Cashier)
Move faster! C’mon!

The Cashier’s hands are shaking so much he is struggling to get money out of the till. Clark holds the gun closer to the Cashier’s head.

WOMAN
Ernest!

Clark WHIPS around to point the gun at the Woman. She puts her hands up, fear radiating from her body.

CASHIER (ERNEST)
(Trying to be calm)

It’s alright Delia.

CLARK
Stay over there!

Clark begins swinging the gun between the Woman (Delia) and Ernest.

CLARK (CONT’D)
(To Ernest)
Keep getting the money out!

MAY
(Placating)
Clark, you don’t have to do this. I can help you make sure that Ryan stays safe and has everything he needs. That you both have everything you need.

CLARK
I don’t believe you! No one ever actually helps. They never understand. Everything just keeps getting taken away!

Clark has grown completely frantic. His whole body is shaking in panic.

DELIA
Clark...

Clark swings back around to look at her.

DELIA (CONT’D)
I don’t think you actually want to hurt anyone. Grief makes us all do crazy things sometimes. I’m sure they’ll understand if you just put down the gun--

CLARK
No! It’s too late. I-I need to get out of here. I need to get back to Ryan!

Clark grabs the money from Ernest’s hands, rapidly swinging the gun between the three other people in the store.

CLARK
I-I need to go and get back to him. But-but you’ve all seen me.
(Spiralling)
You’re going to tell the police! And then they’ll come and take Ryan away.

MAY
No one is trying to take Ryan.

CLARK
They will! When they find out what I’ve done. You’ve all seen me!

Clark is backing towards the door, gun still pointed at May, Ernest and Delia. He seems to come to a conclusion.

CLARK (CONT’D)
Unless you can’t tell them.

MAY
Clark, you don’t have to do this--

CLARK
(To himself)
I can’t let you tell the police what I look like.

MAY
Clark, just put down the gun--

Clark is backed up to the door. He points the gun definitively at May.

CLARK
(Teary)
I’m really sorry.

The door bell RINGS!

ATHENA
Freeze!

Athena stands in the open doorway, the bell still JINGLING, LIGHTNING flashing in the sky beyond. She has her gun pointed to the back of Clark’s head who stands frozen in shock.

ATHENA (CONT’D)
Drop the gun!

Clark is crying, his whole body still shaking as he lowers the gun. He slumps in defeat as the adrenaline leaves him. Athena rushes in from behind, taking it from his hand.

ATHENA
Hands behind your back. You’re under arrest.

Athena puts Clark’s hands in cuffs. Everyone is still standing across the store in shock.

ATHENA
(Addressing May)
Are you alright?

MAY
I’m fine. You got here just in time.

Delia and Ernest nod in agreement.

ATHENA
Wait here. I’m going to secure him and then I’ll be back to take your statements.

Athena goes to take Clark outside but a flash of LIGHTNING brightens the sky, striking a telephone pole. SPARKS fly as the pole comes crashing down, right on Athena’s police cruiser. The lights in the store FLICKER before shutting off.

Athena and May share a glance, sensing the perfect storm brewing.

ATHENA
(Into her radio)
Dispatch, we’re going to need a couple more units.

EXT. BASEBALL PARK – DAY

Chill background theme music plays.

It’s a windy but hot day at the baseball field. Hen, Karen, and MARA are sitting on the bleachers watching the game.

Two Women walk in front of the bleachers, trying to find a seat. It’s Kat and her Wife. They recognize Hen as they pass and she recognizes them back.

HEN
Oh hey, how are you feeling?

KAT
Better. They gave me some fluids at the hospital and kept me overnight for observation but said I should be good to go.

HEN
That's good news.

KAT
Thanks. Um, this is my wife, Sophie.
(Addressing her wife)
This is the paramedic from the earlier.

WIFE (SOPHIE)
Sorry, I didn’t recognize you. Everything was so hectic.

HEN
No worries, I get that all the time. This is my wife Karen, and my daughter Mara. My son Denny is on the field.

SOPHIE
(To Karen)
Your wife is a lifesaver. I’m incredibly grateful.

KAREN
(Looking at Hen fondly)
Yes, she is. We’re lucky to have her.

SHOUTING from the field draws their attention back to the game.

SOPHIE
Oh, look honey, Jackson’s up to bat.

KAT
That’s our son, we should go sit down. It was nice seeing you again.

HEN
You too. Good luck with the test results.

As Kat and Sophie walk off, Buck, Eddie, and Christopher arrive. Christopher sits next to Mara and they quickly fall into a conversation without the adults. Buck is holding a large cooler filled with drinks and snacks which he passes out after sitting down.

EDDIE
We miss anything good?

KAREN
They’re just switching innings now.

DENNY is first up to bat down on the field.

HEN
(Cheering)
Let’s go Denny!

KAREN
You got this Denny, c’mon baby!

Ravi shuffles through other people on the bleachers apologetically, scootching in next to the 118.

RAVI
So, what are our current odds?

Hen shoots him a sharp look before pointedly looking at the children sitting with them.

RAVI
I mean, go Denny!

Denny gets into position and stares down the PITCHER on the other team. The Pitcher sizes him up and throws the ball. Denny hits it dead-on, a CRACK sounding from the bat, and takes off running for first base to the CHEERS of the 118.

RAVI
Chim and Maddie not here yet?

BUCK
They’re probably just taking a bit longer to get out of the house. The baby’s been keeping them up at night.

HEN
(Jokingly elbowing Karen)
I do not miss those days.

KAREN
I’ll second that.

EDDIE
Third.

The CRACK of a bat sounds again. Denny now at third base, takes off running for home. The whole 118 are on their feet, cheering as he touches the plate.

KAREN
Yes!

Karen and Mara hug while waving at Denny. He waves back proudly while walking to the bench.

The WIND begins to pick up as the sky in the distance darkens. Suddenly, a bolt of LIGHTNING streaks across the sky.

The music builds in intensity.

A WHISTLE blows as the kids are called in from the field. The sky DARKENS dramatically. Plastic food wrappers begin to blow around as the WIND picks up again. There’s a grit to the air that is starting to sting.

EDDIE
(Feeling like he’s being scratched by the wind)
Ugh, what is that?

RAVI
(Rubbing something between his fingers)
Is that--

BUCK
(Looking into the distance in horror)
Sand.

The horizon has darkened completely. A wall of SAND is heading directly towards the field at speed.

The DUST STORM has arrived.

ROLL CREDITS

Chapter Text

9-1-1 DIAL TONE.

Chill background theme music.

INT. HAN RESIDENCE, LIVING ROOM – DAY

CHIMNEY and MADDIE are getting toddler JEE-YUN and baby ROBERT ready to go to the baseball game. They are already late to meet the rest of the 118 and Chimney is extremely tired from his recent shift.

The frazzled and overworked parents are running around trying to get the kids out the door. Chimney is chasing Jee-Yun with a shoe in his hand, the other is already on her foot.

CHIMNEY
(Stressed but still patient)
C’mon Jee, you need to put on your other shoe. You can’t go to the baseball game with only one shoe.

Jee-Yun runs away GIGGLING.

Maddie finishes strapping Robert into his carrier, ready to take him to the car with a diaper bag slung over her shoulder.

MADDIE
C’mon Jee, let daddy put your other shoe on so we can go see Denny play.

CHIMNEY
Don’t you want to go cheer for Denny? You were so excited to see him play.

Jee-Yun finally lets Chimney put her other shoe on before running away GIGGLING again.

CHIMNEY
C’mon Jee, we need to get in the car. We don’t want to miss the game.

MADDIE
I’ll get him in the car, you see if you can wrangle her.

As Maddie picks up the carrier, Robert begins to CRY. Both parents SIGH, completely exhausted as Maddie tries to comfort him. Chimney looks ready to keel over and Maddie looks at him with concern. She types something on her phone before putting it back in her pocket.

MADDIE
You know maybe we don’t have to go today. You’re so tired from staying late at work - all the extra Captain’s hours - and she’s just going to fall asleep in the car anyway--

CHIMNEY
No. I promised Hen we’d be there. We’ve barely had any time together since I took over the Captaincy and I need to make more of an effort to spend time with our friends outside of the station. I don’t want to just be their boss.

MADDIE
I know, but I’m sure they’ll understand. You’ve been working yourself to the bone and if you don’t slow down--

CHIMNEY
I’ve got it under control. I just need to figure out the schedule a bit better.

MADDIE
What you need is more rest. Chim, you can’t keep going like this--

CHIMNEY
I’m fine!
(Beat)
I’m really trying to make this work Maddie. I have to be able to do this.

MADDIE
I know...I’m just worried you’re stretching yourself too thin and it’s taking a toll. I really think we should stay home.

CHIMNEY
(SIGHING, resolved)
Let’s just get in the car. Jee c’mon we’re leaving with or without you!

Jee-Yun comes running back in, both shoes on her feet. Robert has calmed down and Maddie picks up the carrier to leave.

As Chimney opens the door, they are hit with a gust of WIND, sand blowing in from outside.

MADDIE
Woah are they even able to play in this weather?

The ALARM of an emergency alert sounds from both their phones. Chimney picks up his to read it.

CHIMNEY
It’s an extreme weather warning. A dust storm.

MADDIE
Well, I’m assuming they won’t be playing in that. How about we have a cozy night in instead. You could use the extra sleep.

Another ALERT sounds from Chimney’s phone.

CHIMNEY
(Trying to shake off the exhaustion)
I can’t. They’re calling all of us in. I need to get to the firehouse.

MADDIE
You just finished your shift and you look like you’re about to collapse. Chim you are in no state to be out there.

CHIMNEY
I’m the Captain Maddie, I have to go. I can’t leave my team hanging.

Chimney starts moving back towards the door.

MADDIE
Chim, you should really call out. You’re in no state to drive, especially with this weather. The team will understand--

CHIMNEY
(Grabbing the door handle)
I’m sorry, I have to go.

MADDIE
Howie!

Chimney walks out the door, the wind SLAMMING it behind him, leaving Maddie in a SILENT home for a beat before Robert starts to CRY again.

TITLE SEQUENCE

Intense background theme music.

EXT. BASEBALL FIELD & INT. FIELDHOUSE – DAY

The dust storm is rolling into the field, the sky darkening and WIND picking up, blowing SAND into everyone’s faces. The FIREFIGHTERS of the 118 are trying to corral EVERYONE at the baseball game into the FIELDHOUSE. HEN is propping the door open, fighting the wind.

HEN
(Yelling to be heard over the wind)
This way! Everyone get inside!

EDDIE and RAVI are leading the last of the CHILDREN from the field into the building. KAREN is already inside with MARA and CHRISTOPHER.

KAREN
Kids to the back, we need to do a headcount!

Eddie stops by the trio, grabbing Christopher and looking him over in concern.

EDDIE
You good? Anything get you?

CHRISTOPHER
Dad, I’m fine.

EDDIE
Ok, stay with Karen. I’m going to check on the others.

OUTSIDE, BUCK is checking the bleachers for any stragglers. The COACH (50s, male) is trying to pack up the baseball equipment, but gloves and balls are quickly blowing away.

BUCK
Leave it! Leave it! You need to get inside!

As the Coach stands up to leave, a BASEBALL BAT comes flying by in the wind, hitting him in the head. He’s dazed and clearly hurt but remains standing.

Buck rushes over, putting an arm under the Coach to help him inside.

The FIELDHOUSE door SLAMS behind them as the wind SILENCES.

EDDIE
Are you alright?

BUCK
I’m good but he got hit in the head pretty hard.

Buck helps the Coach sit down as Eddie comes to look him over. Blood is coming from the side of his head.

EDDIE
Ravi, go see what medical supplies you can find.

Ravi runs off. Buck directs the concerned Crowd back.

BUCK
Alright, let’s give them some space.

A rough COUGHING starts up from the middle of the Crowd gathered in the fieldhouse. KAT (30s, female) is hunched over, HACKING, while her wife SOPHIE (30s, female) checks on her.

SOPHIE
Honey what’s wrong?
(Growing concerned)
We need some help over here!

Hen, having secured the door, runs over.

SOPHIE
She started coughing out of nowhere, just like after the marathon this morning.

HEN
It might have something to do with all the dust in the air. Did the hospital say anything about heart or lung issues?

SOPHIE
They did the tests and said her potassium was high but it was treatable with fluids? They kept her overnight but released her this morning because she was fine. They said she was fine!?

HEN
Any family history?

SOPHIE
Not that I know of.

KAT
(Laboured, wheezing)
Can’t...breathe.

Kat hunches over farther, falling to the floor. Hen and Sophie follow her down. Hen checks the pulse at her wrist.

HEN
Just try to take nice deep breaths, slow your breathing, we need you to get all the oxygen you can get.

Eddie is still with the Coach, checking his pupils with his phone flashlight.

EDDIE
Can you look at me?
(He shines the light in his eyes)
Pupils are equal and reactive, but he might still have a concussion. We need to get this bleeding under control.

Ravi runs back in with a first aid kit and AED.

RAVI
Found these in the supply closet.

Eddie opens it up, pulling out gauze.

EDDIE
This’ll do.

The Coach’s eyes begin to close as he starts to fall over. Eddie is quick to catch him, waking him back up.

EDDIE
Hey, hey, you need to stay awake. Keep those eyes open.

Eddie starts bandaging the wound while trying to keep the Coach awake.

Back with Kat, Hen is talking her through a breathing exercise, trying to calm her down.

HEN
Just do your best. In for four, hold it for three, out for four.

Kat follows the breathing exercise. Her COUGHING is slowing down but still intermittent.

Hen checks her pulse again and finds it has slowed.

HEN
Good, just keep doing that.

KAREN
Hen! We have a problem!

Hen whips around to her wife.

KAREN (CONT’D)
Denny and one of the kids on the other team are missing.

HEN
Who?

MARA
His name’s Jackson. I think he was in the outfield when the storm rolled in.

Kat and Sophie look up in a panic.

KAT
Jackson?!

SOPHIE
That’s our son! He didn’t come inside with the rest of you?

Sophie starts frantically looking through the Kids as Kat starts COUGHING again.

SOPHIE (CONT’D)
Jackson?! Jackson?!

HEN
We need to go back out and look for them!

Hen gets up to head for the door but Kat starts COUGHING harder.

HEN (CONT’D)
(Yelling across the room)
Eddie, I need you over here!
(To Kat, calmer)
Kat, just try to keep breathing. Remember, in for four, hold for three, out for four.

Kat is barely hearing her. Her panic is growing, heartrate spiking and making her COUGH harder.

Eddie passes the Coach over to Ravi.

EDDIE
Keep pressure on that wound and keep him sitting and awake.

Eddie runs over to Hen, his concern growing.

HEN
Denny’s missing. And their son Jackson. I need to go out and look for them.

Kat slumps over, falling unconscious.

SOPHIE
Kat!

HEN
Crap!

Sophie drops down beside her wife in concern while Hen checks Kat’s wrist.

HEN (CONT’D)
No pulse. Starting compressions.

Hen begins CPR on Kat.

EDDIE
(Yelling across the room)
Buck, bring me that AED!

Buck comes rushing over with the AED. Eddie starts setting it up and attaching the pads to Kat.

BUCK
What happened?

HEN
Her heart stopped again. Just like this morning. Eddie, I need you to take over. I have to go look for Denny.

BUCK
Denny? What happened to Denny.

HEN
He’s missing. Along with their son, Jackson. They never made it in from the field.

EDDIE
Hen, you’re in no state to head back out there. You’re too close to this--

HEN
He’s my son, I have to go!

BUCK
I can go. You guys deal with the medical stuff in here, I’ll go look for Denny and Jackson.

HEN
But what if he’s hurt? I should go with you.

EDDIE
You’re the more senior medic and there’s too much going on in here. These people need you. I’ll go.

Hen looks at Eddie and can see the clarity in his eyes; that he will fight for her son like his own.

HEN
Ok. Karen, can you take over compressions?

Eddie gets up to go. Karen gets down on the floor by Hen and starts doing CPR on Kat. Hen grabs Kat’s wrist to do a pulse check while the AED is analyzing.

HEN
She’s in VTAC. Karen, pause CPR. Charging...Everyone clear? Shocking!

Karen stops CPR as Hen SHOCKS Kat. SILENCE follows.

HEN
Still in VTAC. Karen, resume compressions.

Karen starts CPR again.

Eddie and Buck pause by Ravi on their way to the door. Ravi is still holding the gauze to the Coach’s head, propping his body up.

EDDIE
Make sure to keep pressure and keep him awake. You good here?

RAVI
Ya, I’ve got this. You go get Denny.

Eddie scans the crowd and makes quick eye contact with Christopher. Eddie sends him a reassuring nod and goes to walk away.

CHRISTOPHER
Wait!

Eddie pauses to reassure his son.

EDDIE
It’s going to be fine. I’ll be back soon. Buck’s got my back.

Christopher pulls Eddie in for a hug.

CHRISTOPHER
Be safe. And make sure you have Buck’s back too.

EDDIE
Always, mijo.

Buck and Eddie open the door and head out into the storm.

HEN
Pause for pulse check.

Karen stops CPR as the AED scans for a heartbeat.

HEN
Still no pulse. Charging again...Clear!

Once again, Karen stops as Kat is SHOCKED but the no pulse reading remains. Karen continues CPR as some of the other Parents work to direct onlookers, particularly the Children, away.

SOPHIE
Please Kat, please come back.

HEN
One more time. Charging...Clear!

Hen stops CPR as Kat is SHOCKED for a final time. There is a moment of SILENCE before the steady but spaced-out BEEP, BEEP of the heart monitor picks up.

HEN
Pulse is back!

SOPHIE
Oh, thank god.

Kat remains unconscious but her breathing starts up again.

HEN
She’s stable, for now.
(Yelling across the room)
Ravi, how are we doing over there?

RAVI
Still awake but groggy. Bleeding is slowing down.

HEN
Good. Karen, see if you can get through to 9-1-1.

Karen steps away to make the call.

SOPHIE
What do we do now?

HEN
We wait out the storm.

9-1-1 DIAL TONE.

INT. GROCERY STORE – DAY

The grocery store is dark from the power outage. Wind is blowing outside the windows, the sky darkened by the dust cloud. The power line that fell on ATHENA’s police cruiser is still SPARKING.

Athena is still holding CLARK (20s, male) in handcuffs. MAY, ERNEST (60s, male), and DELIA (70s, female) are standing in shock at the turn of events.

ERNEST
The generator should kick on in a moment.

The light HUM of electricity fills the store as the lights FLICKER back on.

CLARK
(Panicked)
I-I need to get home. I need to get home to Ryan. He doesn’t like storms.

MAY
Clark, we can make sure someone gets to Ryan to check that he’s safe. What’s your address?

Clark looks wearily at Athena, not trusting a cop. May steps in again, filling in the blanks for Athena of the events before her arrival.

MAY
It’s ok Clark. She’s going to help your nephew. That’s what you want right? To make sure he’s looked after?

CLARK
Yes. But I want to stay with him.

MAY
And we will do everything we can to make sure that happens but right now we need to check that Ryan is ok. You can’t do that from here, so we need to know where to send someone to check on him. Make sure he isn’t scared of the storm.

Clark hesitates for a moment longer before rattling off his address.

CLARK
Um, 612 Canyon Grove. It’s the house with the blue door. I-I only left him alone for less than an hour.

MAY
I know. We’re going to sort this out.

May and Athena nod at each other reassuringly.

ATHENA
(Into her radio)
Dispatch, this is 727-L-30 requesting an immediate wellness check on a minor at 612 Canyon Grove.

By the register, Delia and Ernest are coming out of their shock.

DELIA
My goodness this has been an eventful day. I guess I should get home before the weather gets any worse.

MAY
Wait!

Delia pauses on her way to the door.

MAY (CONT’D)
The ground outside could be charged from the downed power line. It isn’t safe to go out there, you could be electrocuted.

DELIA
So we’re stuck here?

ERNEST
I’ll call for help.

ATHENA
Hang on, I’ve got it.
(Into her radio)
Dispatch, I have a suspect in custody at the grocery store on Melrose. My vehicle is compromised so I can’t transport him myself.

9-1-1 DISPATCHER (V.O.)
(Over Athena’s radio)
727-L-30, there’s going to be a delay on extra units. We have an overload of calls from the storm.

ATHENA
Copy that dispatch. There’s also some downed power lines so we’re going to be needing the services of DWP and LAFD as well.

DISPATCHER (V.O.)
Noted Sargent. There seems to be multiple downed lines blocking the roads in your vicinity so there will be a delay on those units as well. Please advise to stay in the building until help arrives.

ATHENA
Are you saying we’re all stuck here?

DISPATCHER (V.O.)
For the time being, until we can get units over to you.

The mismatched Patrons of the grocery store share a LOOK.

ERNEST
Well, we might as well get comfortable.

EXT. BASEBALL FIELD – DAY

Intense background theme music.

The wind is HOWLING, sand and debris blowing violently. BUCK and EDDIE are wandering around the field, hunched against the wind and calling out for JACKSON (12, male) and DENNY.

BUCK
Jackson!

EDDIE
Denny!

They can barely see a foot in front of them through the darkness and sand. Eddie reaches out for Buck, holding onto his shoulder while being pummelled by wind and sand.

BUCK
Denny!

EDDIE
Jackson!

A baseball comes FLYING out of the distance, right at their heads. Buck throws them both to the ground. Eddie is looking at Buck lying next to him, both of them taking a moment to overcome the adrenaline rush.

Eddie goes to get back up, gripping Buck’s hand.

EDDIE
Stay close!

Buck nods, clutching Eddie back as they continue into the park.

Through the waves of blowing sand, they can make out a play structure in the distance. There’s a little playhouse under the slide that would make for a good shelter.

BUCK
(Pointing)
Over there!

They battle their way forward, Buck in the lead and Eddie crouching behind him.

EDDIE
Denny! Jackson!

As they get closer, they can see a head of hair pop up from the little house. It’s Denny. He sticks out a hand to wave them down.

DENNY
Over here!

Buck and Eddie arrive at the play structure, cramming underneath to find what shelter they can, Denny shoving over in the house to make room.

Jackson is curled on the ground, clutching a purple and rapidly swelling ankle.

DENNY
I saw him fall when we were running in from the field. I tried calling for help but no one could hear me over the wind, and then there was too much sand to see where everyone was going.

BUCK
You got the both of you from the outfield to here?

DENNY
It was closer than the fieldhouse.

EDDIE
You did good.
(To Jackson)
Can I take a look at that?

Jackson gingerly holds out the injured limb, hissing as Eddie gently rolls it.

EDDIE (CONT’D)
Looks like it’s just a sprain. Let’s get you both inside while we wait for the storm to die down.

Buck goes to help Jackson up.

BUCK
It’ll be easier if I carry you. The wind is pretty rough out there.

Jackson nods in agreement as Buck picks him up. Buck checks back with Eddie.

EDDIE
We’re right behind you.

BUCK
Stay close.
(To Jackson)
Hold on.

Buck ventures out of the shelter of the play structure and is immediately hit by the storm again. Eddie grabs Denny’s hand, helping him to his feet.

EDDIE
Hold onto me and don’t let go!

DENNY
Ok!

Eddie and Denny leave the shelter, Eddie hunched over Denny to shield him from the wind as much as he can. Buck is just a little too far ahead of him, the storm blowing him in and out of view before he disappears.

EDDIE
Buck!

His voice is swallowed by the wind.

Eddie and Denny keep moving in the direction of the fieldhouse. Their progress is slow, Denny getting blown around easily and both of them having to duck under flying debris.

They’ve been out there for too long and Eddie is starting to become disoriented. Looking around, Eddie can’t see the play structure or the fieldhouse. Should they have made it there already?

Just as he’s beginning to worry, a HAND clamps down on his shoulder. It’s Buck, no longer carrying Jackson, having come back for Eddie and Denny.

BUCK
C’mon we’re almost there!

The trio makes their way through the storm as the fieldhouse comes into view. Karen is waving them down at the door. She clutches Denny to her as they come inside, the door SLAMMING behind them, cutting off the HOWLING of the wind.

KAREN
Oh thank god you’re ok!

Mara comes running over to join the hug.

EDDIE
That one was a real hero. Didn’t leave a man behind.

Denny smiles at the praise, Karen clutching him tighter still.

Eddie goes to check on Hen while Buck checks on Ravi.

EDDIE
Go, I can take over.

Hen rushes off to embrace her family while Eddie watches over Kat who is still unconscious. Nearby, Sophie is hugging Jackson while explaining Kat’s condition.

The Coach is still awake, the bleeding almost stopped. Buck gives Ravi a pat on the back.

BUCK
Nice work.

There’s a BANGING on the door and it swings open to reveal a group of FIREFIGHTERS. Hen immediately jumps into action, directing the newcomers.

HEN
We have three patients in need of medical transport. One head wound, a cardiac arrest with return of spontaneous circulation, and an ankle sprain. Priority goes to the cardiac case. Everyone else is good to wait out the storm here before heading home.

The new Firefighters set about securing the Patients for transport while the CAPTAIN (50s, female) approaches Hen.

CAPTAIN
You did a good job here.

HEN
It was a team effort.

CAPTAIN
Well, you’ve got a good team then. You lot are with the 118 right?

HEN
Yes ma’am.

CAPTAIN
They’re calling everyone in to deal with the fallout of the storm. You need a ride?

Hen looks at Karen who pulls Denny, Mara, and Chrisopher to her.

KAREN
Go, we can take care of things here. They need you.

Hen turns back to the Captain, the rest of the 118 behind her.

HEN
That would be great.

INT. GROCERY STORE – DAY

The WIND is still howling outside in the darkened sky. The Group of five has moved farther into the store. May, Ernest, and Delia are sitting on the floor between the produce and canned goods. Clark is slumped over a few feet away, the fight and adrenaline finally drained out of him. Athena is standing farther back, finishing up talking into her radio before coming back to join the Group on the floor.

ATHENA
(To Clark)
A unit made it to your house and Ryan is doing alright.

CLARK
Thank you...He’s going to be so upset when I don’t come home.

ATHENA
We’ll make sure he’s taken care of. And I’ll talk to the DA about your situation. See what we can do for you.

CLARK
This was so stupid. I don’t know what I was thinking.

MAY
Grief makes people do crazy things sometimes. We’ve all been there.

CLARK
I haven’t been sleeping. Ryan keeps waking up with nightmares. He’s been acting out at school, and I’m worried his teachers are going to notice everything that’s going on...I guess it doesn’t matter anymore anyway.

Clark is completely defeated. Even though their meeting was under precarious circumstances, the Group still feels for him.

MAY
Is there anyone else who can help you guys? Extended family or friends?

CLARK
No, it’s just us. My parents died when me and my sister were young. We spent most of our teenage years in the foster system. We didn’t want that to happen to Ryan.
(Becoming distressed again)
Oh God, this is exactly what I didn’t want to happen.

MAY
Hey, we’re going to make sure nothing bad happens to Ryan.

ATHENA
And I’ll see what I can do to make sure the DA understands your situation so they’ll go easy on you. We’re all going through hard times and while your actions may be your own doing, your situation is not your fault.

MAY
Clark, you were failed by a system that should have protected you, should have protected Ryan.

ATHENA
The DA will be understanding of that.

CLARK
I just feel so alone.

There’s a pause of SILENCE as everyone is lost in their own grief before Delia speaks up, offering an olive branch.

DELIA
My husband died not too long ago. Lung cancer. Our children spent a lot of time with us when he was ill but now that he’s gone...My daughter lives in a different state and my son is always working. Most of the time it’s just me around the house.

ERNEST
I never had a family of my own, but I remember when your kids were born. The four of you would come in here and the little ones would make a beeline straight for the apple stand.

DELIA
We would make pies every Sunday. It was my husband’s favourite.

ERNEST
It was some pretty good pie. Your daughter used to sneak me a slice when she’d come in with her family.

DELIA
Well, I don’t do much baking anymore. There’s no one to cook for and I can’t eat a whole pie by myself.
(Beat)
But maybe I could bring you a slice sometime?

ERNEST
I would appreciate that. The store has been lonely without your little rascals running around.

DELIA
(To Clark)
And I could bring some for you and your nephew as well?

CLARK
You would do that?

DELIA
Of course. We need to support each other. Bring a little light back into the darkness.

CLARK
Thank you, that would mean a lot.

MAY
And we’ll make sure to check up on Ryan.

The group looks between May and Athena in confusion.

MAY (CONT’D)
(Clarifying)
She’s my mom.

DELIA
(Remembering their earlier conversation)
Oh. I’m sorry about your husband.

ATHENA
Thank you. I’m sorry about yours.

DELIA
You’re lucky to have such attentive children. They’re really looking out for you.

Athena looks at May fondly.

ATHENA
They are the light of my life. And we’re getting through it together.

INT. FIREHOUSE – DAY

Hen, Eddie, Buck and Ravi arrive back at Station 118. Other Firefighters in the building are running around. A B-SHIFT FIREFIGHTER comes running up to the group.

B-SHIFT FIREFIGHTER
Thank God you guys are here. We’re swamped with calls.
(Taking a moment to look at the group)
Wait, where’s Cap?

HEN
Chimney’s not here?

B-SHIFT FIREFIGHTER
No. We thought he would be coming in with you.

HEN
He didn’t make it to the game before the storm rolled in. We figured he would’ve just come here.

B-SHIFT FIREFIGHTER
Well, he hasn’t shown up. Which makes you Acting Captain.

The B-Shift Firefighter walks off. Hen and the team are flummoxed. Buck pulls out his phone to call Maddie. There’s the BEEP, BEEP, BEEP of a dropped call.

BUCK
Cell lines must be down.
(He looks at his phone)
Hang on, Maddie must’ve sent a text before they stopped going through. She said she wasn’t sure if her and Chim were going to make it to the game. Apparently he was pretty wiped when he got home.

HEN
He has been overworked. If he was that tired then Maddie must’ve convinced him to stay home when we got the call in.

EDDIE
Or he was already passed out from exhaustion.

RAVI
I guess you’re Acting Captain then Hen.

HEN
If radios are working, we should get a wellness check on Chim anyway. Maybe Athena can go if she’s in the area--

The ALARM sounds.

HEN
But I guess we’ll deal with that first.

Everyone runs for the engine.

INT. GROCERY STORE – DAY

Chill background theme music.

The Group has clearly been sitting around for a while with only the steady HUM of the generator and each other for company. They are all eating apples.

CLARK
These are pretty good.

ERNEST
They’re Honeycrisps.

DELIA
These are my favourite for pies but my daughter prefers a Granny Smith. The sourness--

A WHIRRING and CLUNKING sounds through the store and everyone looks around in concern.

MAY
What was that?

ERENST
It sounds like the HVAC system. Old thing cuts out every once in a while but the generator should keep it running.

They all look at the vent above them. It makes a SPUTTERING sound once, twice, and then WHOOSH! A cloud of dust starts coming from the vent. Ernest is immediately COUGHING and everyone drops their apples.

Intense background theme music.

ATHENA
The HVAC must be pulling in the sand from outside.

MAY
Shouldn’t the filter be stopping it?

ERNEST
(Coughing)
The whole system is so old it can’t handle this kind of volume.

MAY
We should cover the vents. Everyone look around for something we can use. A cloth or hard surface. Anything!

The store is starting to become cloudy from the influx of dust starting to come out of the other vents in the store.

DELIA
There are too many vents. We’ll never be able to block out all this dust!

Everyone is COUGHING now, frantically trying to think of a solution.

MAY
We can cut the power! If we stop the airflow the dust should settle.

ERNEST
(Coughing harder)
If we turn off the power everything in the freezers will expire!

ATHENA
If we don’t cut the power, we’ll expire first!

Ernest falls to the ground, HACKING. Athena rushes over.

ERNEST
(Struggling to breathe)
The generator is in the basement. Through the door behind the register. The electric panel should be on the left wall.

MAY
I’m on it.

May runs off towards the basement.

ATHENA
Just try to breathe Ernest.

Athena looks around for something to use as a mask.

ATHENA (CONT’D)
We need to cover our faces, try to filter out the dust.

Athena and Clark are frantically looking around when Delia collapses.

ERENST
Delia!

He tries to go to her but a wave of COUGHING doubles him over again. Athena rushes over instead. Checking Delia’s pulse and breath.

ATHENA
She’s not breathing!

Athena starts doing compressions. She looks up at Clark who is standing frozen, looking between Athena, Delia, and Ernest on the floor, and the door to the parking lot.

BASEMENT

May enters a dingy maintenance room. There are boxes stacked everywhere. She looks to her left and can just make out the generator panel behind a shelving unit. May rushes over, heaving against the heavy shelves to move them out of the way.

STORE

Athena is looking at Clark.

ATHENA
Help us!

Clark hesitates for a moment before spotting a display of dish towels. He runs over to grab them in his still-cuffed hands before rushing back to Athena.

ATHENA
Tie them around our heads, over the mouth and nose like a mask. It should block out some of the dust.

Clark gets to work, starting with Ernest.

BASEMENT

May heaves again and again until finally, the shelving unit budges enough for her to get to the electrical panel.

Opening the door, May looks at a confusing series of fuses and buttons. Instead of wasting time trying to find the right one, May shrugs and turns them all off.

STORE

The LIGHTS abruptly go out, leaving the store in darkness. The steady WHIR of the HVAC system turns off, leaving the only sound the HOWLING of the wind outside.

Everyone lets out a SIGH of relief, the COUGHING starting to slow down.

Athena is still doing CPR.

ATHENA
C’mon Delia, breathe.

Everyone waits a moment before Delia lets out a GASP, gradually coming back to consciousness.

Delia blinks into the dark room above, seeing Ernest leaning over her.

May comes running back up the stairs, taking in the scene in front of her.

MAY
What happened?

Everyone shares a look of chagrinned relief. Athena gives Clark a nod of thanks.

9-1-1 CALL SCREEN and TONE.

DISPATCHER (V.O.)
9-1-1 what’s your emergency?

CALLER (V.O.)
I’m out on a limb!

Intense background theme music.

EXT. PALM-TREED BOULEVARD – EVENING

The 118 arrives with FLASHING LIGHTS and SIRENS. They are on a street lined with palm trees, emptied of people from the storm. Big bows of palm fronds litter the road with other debris from the storm. There are sand drifts everywhere and the wind is still blowing hard but is not quite the maelstrom from the baseball field. The occasional bolt of LIGHTNING is still flashing in the sky.

RAVI
Looks like the trees won’t need trimming anytime soon.

EDDIE
But the clean-up crews are going to have their work cut out for them.

BUCK
Did you know, palm trees aren’t native to California? They were first planted here in 1781 but didn’t become a popular symbol of the state until the 1930s.

HEN
(Ignoring Buck)
Dispatch said the call came from here but I’m not seeing anyone.

A disembodied VOICE breaks through the wind.

VOICE
(Yelling, panicked)
Help!

The Firefighters look around in confusion.

VOICE
Up here!

Looking up, the Firefighters can just make out a TREE PRUNER (20s, male) clinging desperately to the top of a palm tree. He is strapped to the trunk by a belt and gesticulating wildly.

RAVI
How’d he get up there?

The Tree Pruner SHOUTS something else but his voice is lost in the wind.

HEN
Tree pruner. We get calls from them sometimes when they get stuck. He should’ve had a partner on the ground though.

EDDIE
Maybe they left him behind when the storm started?

BUCK
Or panicked and forgot he was up there.

RAVI
He survived all that from way up there?

HEN
It’s about time we get him down then. Ravi, go position the ladder truck. Buck, Eddie let’s clear some of this debris.

The 118 gets to work. Moments later, Buck is getting ready to climb up the ladder. Another LIGHTNING BOLT flashes through the sky.

EDDIE
(Putting out a hand to stall Buck)
Wait! You went up on the last one, I can go this time.

BUCK
It’s fine, I’m already hooked in.

Buck starts to hoist himself up but Eddie continues to protest.

EDDIE
I can do it. You should stay down here.

Buck looks at Eddie in confusion. Eddie tries to hide his concern but can’t help looking at the sky.

BUCK
(Realizing Eddie’s hesitation)
Oh, c’mon Eddie. What are the chances of getting struck by lightning twice?

EDDIE
I’d imagine about the same as getting struck by lightning once.

Hen approaches from where she’s been clearing the road.

HEN
What’s the hold up?

EDDIE
It’s not safe to go up.

BUCK
Eddie, it’s fine. We’ve gone up in bad weather before and been fine.

EDDIE
You weren’t fine.

BUCK
This is different--

HEN
Enough arguing. There’s always a risk with the job, we all know that. And we need to get that guy down. If your worried then I’ll go, give me the line.

Hen holds out her hand for the ladder tether.

BUCK
No, it’s fine, I can do it.

HEN
Buck--

BUCK
I’ve got it.

Buck forcefully brushes the both of them off and starts climbing up the ladder.

EDDIE
(Calling up after Buck, frustrated)
Buck!

Eddie and Hen watch from the ground, Ravi joining them, as Buck steadily climbs up the ladder.

BUCK
Sir, just hold on, I’m coming to get you!

The Tree Pruner is still clinging to the tree with one arm and waving the other around.

TREE PRUNER
(Muffled by the wind)
Dad!

BUCK
Almost there, just hang on!

Buck gets to the top of the ladder next to the Tree Pruner and can finally hear him over the wind.

TREE PRUNER
Dad!

The Tree Pruner waves around wildly again. Buck pauses in confusion.

BUCK
Sir, I’m Buck.

TREE PRUNER
No, my dad! He’s stuck!

The waving arm is now clearly pointing to the ground. Buck scans the area. From his vantage point on the ladder, all he can see are piles of sand and palm fronds.

TREE PRUNER (CONT’D)
There!

He points at one of the sand dunes. Buck can just make out the top of a head peaking from the dune.

BUCK
Oh!
(Into his radio)
Hen we’ve got another victim! Sand dune nine o’clock.

The Firefighters still on the ground look at where Buck is pointing. Spotting the sand dune, Hen and Ravi rush over. Eddie stays with the truck to operate the ladder, watching Buck intently.

BUCK
They’ve got him. Let’s get you down.

Buck holds out a rescue harness.

BUCK (CONT’D)
I’m going to put this around you and then we’ll cut you loose from your other harness so--

LIGHTNING flashes through the sky again, accompanied by roaring THUNDER.

EDDIE
Buck you need to move!

On the ground, Hen and Ravi have started digging out the sand dune. A hand emerges from the sand and Hen grabs on, checking the wrist.

HEN
He’s got a pulse!

On the ladder, Buck has the harness secured.

BUCK
Alright, now just grab my hand and I’ll pull you over onto the ladder.

The Tree Pruner hesitates, looking at the gap between the tree and ladder.

BUCK
Don’t worry, I’ve got you. Just take my hand.

LIGHTNING flashes again.

EDDIE
Buck hurry up!

BUCK
Grab on, I won’t let you fall!

The Tree Pruner hesitates again.

BUCK (CONT’D)
I’ve got you!

Gathering his nerve, the Tree Pruner lunges for Buck’s hand. Buck latches on, pulling him onto the ladder.

LIGHTNING flashes above and BOOM! A bolt lights the palm tree on FIRE.

EDDIE
(Screaming gutturally)
Buck!

Pulling the Tree Pruner closer, Buck books it down the ladder as the palms go up in flames. When they get to the bottom, Buck passes the Tree Pruner off to Eddie. He spares Buck a glance before turning to check the Tree Pruner.

Hen and Ravi are still digging through the sand, uncovering the DAD’S (50s) face. He sputters and coughs as Hen and Ravi keep digging out the rest of his body. Above them, the flaming palm tree smoulders into the sky.

The Dad’s torso and legs are slowly revealed as sand is pushed away. Buck is heading over to help when a great CRACKING fills the air.

Everyone looks up as the tree starts to shift, flaming palm fronds falling to the ground like bombs.

HEN
Dig faster!

Hen and Ravi frantically uncover the Dad’s legs. Each of them grabs an arm to hoist him up as another CRACK fills the air. LIGHTNING strikes the flaming tree again. It tilts towards the trio as the trunk SNAPS!

Buck is running without a thought, heading for Hen and Ravi as fast as he can. Eddie and the Tree Pruner can do nothing but watch from the ladder truck.

Hen and Ravi pull the Dad up just as Buck reaches the sand dune, pushing them out of the way. The tree comes down with a great CRASH over where they are standing, flames and smoke billowing up in a cloud.

Eddie sits in horror, not able to see any of the team through the flames and smoke, not knowing if they made it. He jumps into action, grabbing a hose from the engine. Turning on the water, Eddie points it at the flames, heart practically beating out of his chest.

Slowly, as the smoke begins to clear, four Figures appear on the other side of the tree.

Eddie turns the water off as the flames die down looking at his team on the other side of the downed trunk, whole and unharmed. He lets out a SIGH of relief while the others are surveying the smouldering trunk.

BUCK
I really need to start avoiding lightning.

EDDIE
For your health and mine.

INT. GROCERY STORE – NIGHT

Delia is sitting propped up against a produce stand next to Clark and Ernest. They’re trading stories about their deceased loved ones.

Athena is by the door, lost in thought while looking out into the windy night. The storm is dying down. May approaches.

MAY
Thanks for coming.

Athena startles, just now noticing her daughter.

ATHENA
Oh of course. Harry was pretty frantic when he called. Wasn’t sure what I was going to be walking into.

MAY
Ya, I only had a second before I needed to hang up the phone, but I figured he would understand. I was able to get a text off to him after you got here so hopefully he’s not too worried anymore.

ATHENA
Harry’s really made a lot of progress in the last year.

MAY
He’s more clever than we give him credit for.

ATHENA
(Nostalgic)
You’ve both grown into admirable adults.

MAY
Well, we had good examples.

They both pause for a moment, watching the sand blow around the night sky, thinking of Bobby.

ATHENA
I was so worried about how Bobby would fit into our family when we first started dating. I wasn’t sure what everyone would think of him – think of me.

May looks at her mom in surprise. This is the most vulnerability she’s expressed about Bobby since the funeral.

ATHENA (CONT’D)
But after that first dinner we all had, right after the earthquake, I knew he’d fit in just fine.

MAY
We all loved him right away.

ATHENA
Everyone always did.

MAY
He was good at that, making people feel at home.

ATHENA
He certainly made me feel at home in a way I never thought I would after the divorce.

MAY
And you’ll feel that way again, someday. It’ll just take time.

They both pause, remembering.

ATHENA
You know, in this job, I face reminders everyday of how fleeting life is. But when it happens so close to home, I never feel prepared for it.

MAY
It can be hard to hang on to the good times when it gets dark. But that’s why we cherish them. To know the light is always just around the corner.

SIRENS and FLASHING LIGHTS shine through the window, announcing the arrival of the 118.

ATHENA
Speaking of which, looks like rescue has finally arrived.

EXT. GROCERY STORE, PARKING LOT - NIGHT

Chill background theme music.

Inside the Firetruck, Hen, Eddie, Buck, and Ravi are arriving to the scene.

DISPATCHER (V.O.)
(Over the radio)
Engine 118, DWP has cut power to the area so you are good to exit.

HEN
(Into her radio)
Thanks Dispatch. Arriving on scene now.

The Firefighters get out of the vehicle. Hen waves at Athena standing in the doorway of the grocery store as they make their way towards each other.

HEN
I heard you needed a rescue.

ATHENA
Thanks, now I just need a ride.

Athena gestures to her police cruiser. It is still pinned under the power line but at least it is no longer sparking.

HEN
Looks like you’ve had an eventful day.

ATHENA
You have no idea.

HEN
Likewise.

ATHENA
I’ll buy you a drink later. You can tell me about it.

Eddie comes up to meet them with the med-bags in tow.

EDDIE
How’s everyone inside?

ATHENA
There’s been some respiratory problems. Dust inhalation. One woman definitely needs transport to the hospital for a cardiac episode. My suspect will need a check before we transport him too.

EDDIE
We’re on it.

Eddie heads into the store with Athena. Hen turns back to the engine where Buck and Ravi are waiting.

HEN
Let’s get the road clear so more vehicles can get through.

BUCK
On it!

Hen goes inside while Buck and Ravi head over to the road. There are tree branches fallen on the road and sand settled on the ground. The pole on top of Athena’s car is half-blocking the road.

RAVI
Where do you want to start?

Buck surveys the pole that is too big to carry.

BUCK
Ravi, go get the saw.

As Buck and Ravi get to work breaking down the pole so they can move it off the road, Hen and Eddie emerge from the store, pushing Delia on a stretcher with Ernest trailing after them.

DELIA
I don’t see why I need to go to the hospital. You must be very busy and I don’t want to take up your time.

ERNEST
Your heart stopped. I think that warrants a visit to the hospital.

DELIA
Yes, but it’s working fine now.

HEN
We still need to take you to get looked over. Just to be safe.

Ernest hesitates outside while they’re loading Delia into the ambulance. Eddie climbs in after her and they’re about to shut the door when Ernest stops them.

ERNEST
Wait! Delia would you like some company?

DELIA
Don’t you have to take care of the store?

ERNEST
I don’t think anyone is going to be shopping in this weather. Besides, we have to look out for each other.

Delia smiles at Ernest, accepting the invitation as Ernest climbs into the ambulance with them. The vehicle pulls away.

Buck and Ravi are pulling the last of the pole from Athena’s car when she emerges from the store with Clark still in handcuffs, May following behind.

BUCK
That should fix the road blockage problem, but I don’t think we’ll be able to help with the damaged car.

ATHENA
(Gesturing down the road)
That’s alright. I’ve got a new ride.

Another POLICE UNIT pulls into the parking lot with FLASHING LIGHTS.

MAY
I’ll meet you guys at the station. I can talk to the DA with you?

ATHENA
Oh no, you head straight home. This is not a storm you need to be running around in. You can come to the Precinct and give your statement tomorrow.

May looks at Clark reassuringly.

MAY
Ok, but I am coming in tomorrow.

CLARK
You don’t even know me, why would you go out of your way to do that?

MAY
I was able to rely on my friends and family when my stepdad died. He was the kind of person who would want me to pay that forward.

CLARK
He sounds like a great guy.

ATHENA
He was.

Athena and Clark get into the police cruiser while May walks over to her own car. It’s undamaged but covered in dust. As she’s rolling down her sleeves to brush off the windshield, Ravi shows up at her side, holding out a car brush.

RAVI
Need a hand?

May smiles at Ravi as he starts cleaning off her car.

Buck is packing the saw back into the engine when his radio goes off.

HEN (V.O.)
(Over the radio)
RA 118 to Engine 118. We’re almost done with drop off.

BUCK
(Into his radio)
We’re just wrapping up here. Where should we meet you guys?

HEN
I still haven’t heard from Chimney so we were thinking about checking on him if we don’t get called somewhere else.

BUCK
Sounds good. We’ll meet you on the way.

9-1-1 DIAL TONE.

EXT. DRIVING IN THE FIRETRUCK – NIGHT

The engine and ambulance meet up on a side street travelling to Chimney’s house. As they’re driving on the road, they come across a downed tree and pull over, getting out of their vehicles into the windy night.

BUCK
We’re gonna have to move that to get through.

HEN
Let’s get to it then.

“Another One Bites the Dust” by Queen plays.

Buck and Ravi RIP their saws as they start chopping up the tree. Everyone helps with moving the logs to the side of the road. Before long, the road is clear, they are back in their respective vehicles and on the move.

A short drive away, they come across a car on the side of the road, piled under comedic levels of sand. Pulling over, the 118 get out, calling out for the DRIVER. They can just make out a VOICE from the interior. Grabbing shovels and car brushes from the engine, they start to dig the car out. The Driver is slowly revealed with a grateful face. Driver and vehicle freed, the 118 hit the road again.

Hen tries to call Chimney, but cell service is still down.

Hitting a residential neighbourhood, the 118 are waved down by a group of PEOPLE standing on a lawn. They are under a big tree, pointing up at a CAT stuck in the branches. They pull over again, and Ravi climbs up the ladder truck to the cat. With some cajoling, the cat slinks into his arms and Ravi climbs back down. They are sent off again with great thanks and uproarious CHEERS.

On another road, two STUDENTS are chasing papers across the street. One of them has an open backpack, their homework blowing away. The 118 get out to help, grabbing as many flying pages as they can. Once they’ve collected all that they can find, the students thank them, and the Firefighters get back on the road.

The obstacles to their destination keep getting more ridiculous. A couple blocks away, LIGHTS flashing from the windows of a house catch their eye. Slowing down, they can see sand piled against the house’s front door, trapping those inside. Getting out the shovels again, the 118 dig out the doorway, freeing the INHABITANTS. They are so grateful, they try encouraging the Firefighters inside with food and drink. The GRANDMOTHER good-naturedly grabs Buck and DRAGS him in the door. Buck quickly accepts a baked good while Eddie fights off the advances of the family, jokingly reprimanding Buck who is chewing rigorously and DRAGGING him back out the door.

Heading towards the mountains, the 118 run into a flock of CHICKENS blocking the road. Their OWNER is running around, trying to corral the chickens back to a coop where the door was clearly blown off the hinges during the storm. The 118 once again pull over to help. Ravi offers tools from the engine to fasten the door back in place while the others herd chickens with the Owner, Eddie jumping away when one gets a little feisty. Chickens secured back in the coop, the 118 wave goodbye to the Owner and are on their way again.

The wind has fully died down by the time they arrive at the next scene. They’re on a mountain road, cliff face on one side and a gradual drop into the woods on the other. There’s a car flipped over on the side of the road closest to the cliff with another smashed into the mountainside. There’s a FIGURE slumped over in the driver’s seat of that vehicle.

The 118 pull over, getting out of their vehicles, SLAMMING the doors behind them.
The music STOPS.

HEN
Eddie, go check on that driver!

EDDIE
On it!

Eddie runs off towards the car with the man, Ravi on his heels.

BUCK
We’re never going to make it to Chimney’s at this rate.

Hen and Buck approach the flipped car. It’s covered in a dusting of sand from the storm, blocking out the windows, but as they get closer, they can see the model and colour through the darkness. They both freeze.

BUCK
Is that...?

They both rush forward.

Rapidly wiping the windows of the car, they can make out the car seats in the back, a diaper bag, and some kids toys, but the driver’s seat is empty. The passenger’s side windows is smashed through, like someone crawled out of the vehicle.

HEN
It’s his.

Buck and Hen fearfully look at the edge of the road which slopes off into the woods. There’s a trail of blood heading down the cliff.

HEN and BUCK
Chimney!

“Long As I Can See the Light” by Creedence Clearwater Revival plays.

Focus leaves the 118 as they scramble around the car. Slowly panning down over the cliff and trailing into the woods, focus is drawn to a path of blood on the forest floor. Following spec after spec, getting larger and larger, the blood mixes with dragged out footprints. The path slowly leads to a body lying on the ground. It’s Chimney.

His head is bleeding, body bruised, breathing laboured. Sand from the storm has settled on the forest floor with a light dusting over his body, indicating that he has been lying there some time. His dazed eyes look up at the night sky, shaded by the tree canopy. They close.

ROLL CREDITS

Chapter Text

9-1-1 DIAL TONE.

Intense background theme music.

EXT. DRIVING ALONG A MOUNTAIN ROAD - DAY

CHIMNEY is DRIVING along an empty mountain road on his way to the fire station. The WIND is blowing SAND around forcefully. The visibility through the car windshield is almost non-existent, the wipers working overtime to clear the dust. Chimney is obviously exhausted but trying his best to keep going, running off shear willpower alone.

CHIMNEY (V.O.)
There is a time in every first responder’s life, when we question if the weight of everything we carry is too much to bear. If the cost of what we do is worth the pain. When you are unable to brush off what is holding you down, the world will ask you to choose; can you step up, or will you be swept away?

UP AHEAD, Chimney can just make out a car crashed into the side of the mountain. The front end is completely crushed - a head-on collision. Chimney pulls over.

Getting out of his car, Chimney is immediately pummelled by WIND and SAND. Bracing into the wind, Chimney pushes his way across the road to the other car. As he gets closer, he can make out a MAN (40s) slumped over the steering wheel.

CHIMNEY
(Yelling into the wind)
Hello?! Sir, LAFD, can you hear me?!

There is no response from the Man as Chimney arrives at the car. He BANGS on the driver-side window, brushing the dust clinging to the windshield away.

CHIMNEY
LAFD! Wake up!

The Man doesn’t move.

CHIMNEY
Sir, if you can hear me, get back and cover your eyes. I’m going to break the window.

Chimney takes off his jacket and looks around for a rock. Finding one, he wraps his hand in his jacket and clutches the rock in his fist, using it to smash the window in. The jacket blocks most of the glass but as he shakes out his hand, he sees a piece has cut his arm and it has started bleeding. Chimney drops the jacket and resolves to sort out his hand later, instead checking on the Man.

Reaching through the window, Chimney gently prods the Man’s shoulder.

The Man STARTLES awake, jerking his head up. There is a deep gash along his forehead that is bleeding profusely.

CHIMNEY
Sir, LAFD, I’m here to help.

The Man is dazed and confused. Not paying attention to Chimney, he tries to open the car door. It won’t budge.

CHIMNEY
Your car is smashed up pretty good. We’re going to need the jaws of life to get you out.

The Man seems to finally recognize that Chimney is there.

MAN
You...

CHIMNEY
I’m a firefighter. I’m here to help. Can you tell me how many fingers I’m holding up?

Chimney holds up 2 fingers.

MAN
(Heavily concussed)
...Four?

CHIMNEY
Alright, we need to get you out of there.

Chimney pulls out his phone, calling 9-1-1. There is the BEEP, BEEP, BEEP of a dropped call.

CHIMNEY
(Dismayed)
There’s no service out here.

He looks around for something to help, spotting his car.

CHIMNEY
I have a satellite phone in my glove box.

He looks back at the Man, assessing his injuries and dazed state.

CHIMENY
I just have to run back to my car to get some supplies. I’ll be right back. Just stay here and don’t move!

Chimney takes off for his car, hunched against the wind as he crosses the road.

He gets into the passenger seat, closing the door against the wind and opening the glove box, digging around for his satellite phone—

BOOM!

The car is ROLLING. Chimney is tossed around in the passenger seat, body slamming into the roof and floor repeatedly. The sky and ground roll by through the windshield once, twice, three times, before the car comes to a sliding stop, SMASHING into the guardrail at the edge of the road.

There is a RINGING in Chimney’s ears as he blearily comes to. He is crumpled over, lying on the roof of the upside-down car. There are bruises quickly forming on his limbs. He is bleeding from multiple wounds, most notably his head.

In a daze, Chimney shuffles around, righting himself. He pushes against the door but it won’t budge. Noticing the ESCAPE TOOL hanging from the steering wheel, Chimney groggily reaches out to pull it off the chain. Bracing the tool against the passenger window, he presses the button and the glass SHATTERS.

The sound of the WIND rushes back in as Chimney pushes the glass out of the way. In his injured state, he does not care about being cut, his only focus is getting out of the car.

Hoisting himself up, Chimney DRAGS himself through the window and onto the ground. The storm has risen to a maelstrom, berating him from all angles. As Chimney tries to rise, a GUST sets him off balance and--

SLIP! Chimney is tumbling over the guardrail and down the hill into the woods.

TITLE SEQUENCE

Intense background theme music.

EXT. MOUNTAIN ROAD, CRASH SITE – NIGHT

The 118 pull up at the scene of a car accident. One vehicle is smashed into the side of the cliff face, another flipped over against the guardrail where the ground slopes off into the woods.

Pulling the emergency vehicles onto the side of the road, HEN, EDDIE, BUCK, and RAVI get out with SLAMMING doors.

HEN
Eddie, go check on that driver!

EDDIE
On it!

Eddie and Ravi run over to the car smashed into the mountain. The front of the car is completely crumpled and the driver’s side window is smashed in. There is a MAN (40s) slumped over the steering wheel with a profusely bleeding head wound.

EDDIE
Sir, LAFD, we’re here to help.

Eddie reaches through the windshield to check the Man’s pulse.

Ravi looks through the back windows, brushing off sand from the earlier storm.

RAVI
Rest of the vehicle is clear.

EDDIE
Pulse is weak but steady.

Eddie gently tries to wake the man.

EDDIE
Sir, LAFD, can you hear me?

The Man remains unresponsive.

EDDIE
Sir--

HEN and BUCK
Chimney!

Eddie and Ravi startle at the SHOUT from across the road. Whipping around, they see Hen rushing for the guardrail and Buck jumping in to hold her back.

Eddie turns back to Ravi in a panic.

EDDIE
Stay with him!

Eddie runs off for Buck and Hen, leaving Ravi with the still-unconscious Man in the car.

At the other car, Buck is forcefully holding Hen back from the hillside.

HEN
Let me go! We need to go get him!

BUCK
Hen! Hen! Stop you can’t just go down there! Hen!

EDDIE
What happened?

Buck gives Eddie a haunted look.

BUCK
It’s Chimney’s car.

The fight drains out of Hen as she lets out a SOB, slumping in Buck’s arms.

Eddie looks at the other vehicle, an overwhelming sense of dread coming over him.

EDDIE
Where is he?

Buck gestures to the blood smeared on the guardrail, speckles leading into the woods.

EDDIE
(Looking between the car and forest in fear)
Oh God...We need to go find him.

BUCK
I know.

Buck looks at Hen, hesitatingly letting her go as she stares into the woods. The Boys wait a moment for Hen to take charge, but she remains frozen.

Buck steels his resolve.

BUCK
(Into his radio)
Dispatch, this is engine 118. There is a multi-car accident at our location. Two vehicles. One driver is not with his. We need an additional RA unit and search and rescue response immediately.

DISPATCHER (JOSH, V.O.)
Copy that engine 118. Units are ten minutes out. Any details on the victims?

At the other car, Ravi is putting a C-collar on the Man.

RAVI
(Into his radio)
First victim is an adult male. He has a large head wound and is unresponsive with a weak pulse.

DISPATCH CENTER

JOSH is sitting at his station, typing on the computer as he takes the call.

JOSH
This one is with his car?

RAVI (V.O.)
Yes, he hit his head on the steering wheel. Knocked him out completely.

JOSH
And the other victim?

ACCIDENT SITE

Buck and Eddie look back at Ravi, having momentarily forgotten the other driver before looking back at Hen, waiting for her to say something. She’s still looking off into the woods in shock.

Buck steps up again.

BUCK
(Into his radio)
Second victim is Howard Han. He is missing from the crash site.

DISPATCH CENTER

Josh freezes at the news.

JOSH
It’s Chimney’s car?

BUCK (V.O.)
Affirmative.

JOSH
Is...?

Josh is unable to voice it but Buck catches on anyway.

BUCK (V.O.)
I don’t think there was anyone else in the car.

Josh SLUMPS in relief.

ACCIDENT SITE

Buck is walking around the vehicle, crouching to look in the windows and shining his flashlight inside.

BUCK (CONT’D)
The kids aren’t in the car-seats, and they would have to be at home with one of them. Judging by the dust on the car it’s been here a while. Possibly all day.

JOSH (V.O.)
Has anyone called his house to check?

BUCK
Cell lines have been down all day.

JOSH (V.O.)
Right. I’ll see what I can do about getting a call to Maddie.

BUCK
Thanks.

JOSH (V.O.)
Your units are eight minutes out. Hang in there 118.

BUCK
Copy that Dispatch.

Hen finally snaps out of her stupor.

HEN
We-we need to go find him. He’s hurt and lost and counting on us to find him.

EDDIE
How do you want to do this?

HEN
We need t-to form a search party. Head into the woods.

EDDIE
Ok and the other guy?

Hen slowly focuses on the other car where Ravi is applying bandages to the Man.

HEN
The other guy...

Hen looks back at the woods as she trails off again. The pressure of the situation seems to be overwhelming her in an uncharacteristic way.

Buck takes charge.

BUCK
Let’s grab the jaws and get that guy out. The other units should be here by then. Then we can start searching--

HEN
No, we need to start looking for Chimney now.

BUCK
Hen--

HEN
He’s our captain and he is counting on us to save him!

Everyone freezes at her words. Hen’s panic is making more sense.

BUCK
Hen, I know. Ok I know. But we can’t just wander around.

Eddie is a little shocked at Buck not being the one to run headfirst into danger. He’s clearly missed some big changes in his time away.

EDDIE
Buck’s right. We don’t know how far down he is or what obstacles we might run into. And that guy over there is counting on us too.

HEN
But what if we wait and we’re too late?! The other car...what if he’s the reason...

Hen trails off, leaving the possible blame for the accident unspoken.

EDDIE
(Definitive)
That doesn’t matter. Believe me, I want to run down there just as bad as you do but we all know bad things happen in this job when you dive right in without thinking.

BUCK
We need to focus on what’s in front of us until more help gets here.

Buck is so uncommonly the voice of reason that Hen slowly accepts this.

HEN
Ok. Um, where do you want to start?

EDDIE
We should get the other victim ready for transport.

BUCK
I’ll get the jaws.

Buck runs back to the truck, grabbing the jaws of life while Eddie and Hen run over to Ravi.

EDDIE
How’s he doing?

RAVI
Still unresponsive but breathing.

Ravi has secured the Man with a C-collar and is bandaging his head.

Buck comes running over with the jaws of life.

BUCK
Stand back.

Everyone moves out of the way while Buck pries the door open.

With more access to the Man, Eddie steps in to reassess. He props him up in the seat and peels back an eyelid, shining a light into his eyes.

EDDIE
One of his pupils is completely blown. He might have a brain bleed.

HEN
We need to get him out of there fast.

EDDIE
That’s going to be a bit of a challenge.

The Man’s legs are crushed in the crumple zone, pinned under the steering wheel.

BUCK
We’re gonna have to cut him out. I’ll grab the saw.

RAVI
I’ll get the stretcher.

Buck and Ravi run back to the emergency vehicles.

Eddie turns to Hen. She’s anxiously looking up the road.

EDDIE
You still with us?

Hen STARTLES. She checks that Buck and Ravi are still out of hearing range before turning a tired look on Eddie.

HEN
I can’t lose another Captain. Let alone another friend.

EDDIE
No one said anything about losing Chimney. We don’t know anything yet.

HEN
You saw his car. It’s clearly been there for hours possibly longer. This doesn’t look good.

Buck and Ravi come back before Eddie can think of a response.

Buck throws a fire protection blanket over the Man before starting up the saw.

MOMENTS LATER, the Man’s legs are freed but clearly broken in several places. The team moves the stretcher closer, getting ready to move.

EDDIE
One, two, three.

Eddie cuts the seatbelt and the team pulls the Man out of the car, laying him on the stretcher as gently as they can.

FLASHING LIGHTS and SIRENS draw their attention down the road where the 136 FIRE CREW is arriving.

Hen rushes over to them as they exit their vehicles, the rest of the 118 close behind, pushing the Man on the stretcher.

HEN
Over here!

The CAPTAIN (50s) of the 136 meets Hen on the road.

HEN (CONT’D)
We’ve got one victim ready for transport. Brain injury, severe bleeding, and multiple broken bones. He needs a hospital ASAP.

The 136 Paramedics take the Man away on the stretcher.

CAPTAIN 136
Dispatch said you had a missing victim.

HEN
From the other car. He’s one of ours.

CAPTAIN 136
(Startled)
One of yours?

HEN
Our Captain. He didn’t make it into work today. We thought he got stuck at home from the storm.

CAPTAIN 136
When was the last time you heard from him?

BUCK
He was last seen this afternoon. We don’t know how long he’s been out here.

HEN
We need full search and rescue efforts. We believe he made it out of the car but ended up in the woods somehow.

There is a pause from the other Firefighters. No one wants to voice the unlikely odds of Chimney’s survival aloud.

HEN (CONT’D)
There’s a trail of blood leading from the car. He was alive enough after the hit to be mobile. We can at least start by following the path to find him.

CAPTAIN 136
Alright. Let’s group up and form a search grid.
(To the 136 Firefighters)
Grab whatever gear you can carry. We don’t know what we’re going to run into or how far in he is.

Everyone runs off to their vehicles.

The 118 approach the guardrail, eyeing the drops of blood leading into the woods.

HEN
We’re coming for you Chim.

FLASHBACK INTRO WOOSH

INT. FIREHOUSE, CAPTAIN’S OFFICE - DAY

Chimney tentatively approaches the desk in the Captain’s office. There is a placard at the front reading CAPTAIN H. HAN. He picks it up, fingers drawing over the name.

There is a KNOCK at the door. Chimney hastily puts the placard down.

Hen pokes her head in the door.

HEN
Can I come in?

CHIMNEY
Of course.

Chimney quickly retreats behind the desk, sitting in the Captain’s chair and shuffling papers.

CHIMNEY (CONT’D)
What can I do for you?

Hen gives him an odd look, hesitantly sitting in the chair across the desk.

HEN
I wanted to see how you were doing. First day as the official new Captain of the 118.

CHIMNEY
(Letting out a great SIGH)
Oh.

HEN
It’s a big step. A big change.

CHIMNEY
I know. I’m ready. I can do this.

HEN
Oh, I know that. No one is questioning your ability to lead Chim. You’re the one who kept us together. I just wanted to see how you were feeling about the whole thing.

Chimney pauses to think. Hen waits patiently.

CHIMNEY
They’re big shoes to fill.

HEN
They are.

Chimney pauses again. When he speaks, there is a TREMOR in his voice, slight TEARS forming in his eyes.

CHIMNEY
I don’t want to let anybody down.

HEN
Oh, Chim.

Hen reaches across the desk for Chimney’s hand. He reaches back.

HEN (CONT’D)
No one has any expectations of you. You took on the role when no one else was ready. After Bobby...You’ve already stepped up beyond what anyone would ask of you.

CHIMNEY
It’s just...this feels like a second chance that I don’t deserve. Bobby died so I could live and somehow, I end up with his job? How is that fair?

HEN
Bobby made his own choices. You bare no responsibility for any of that. And he knew he was leaving us in good hands.

CHIMNEY
(More teary)
I just don’t want to let him down.

Hen makes sure Chimney is looking her in the eye.

HEN
The most important part of being Captain isn’t the bureaucracy or how you command on calls. You’ll find your rhythm with those things over time. Being a real Captain is about how you treat your people and keep the team together. And in that, you’ve already made him proud. And in everything else, we’ve got your back.

FLASHBACK OUTRO WOOSH

EXT. THE WOODS – NIGHT

Intense background theme music.

Hen, Eddie, Buck, and Ravi are walking deep in the woods, FLASHLIGHTS scanning the ground, searching for Chimney. The occasional LIGHT through the trees shows the location of the 136 Firefighters.

ALL
(Intermittently)
Chimney!

Hen’s FLASHLIGHT highlights a spec of BLOOD on the ground.

HEN
There! I’ve got the trail back!

The 118 Firefighters rush over to her, following the blood specs along the ground. As they go, the accompanying footprints become more dragged out until--

Hen’s flashlight falls upon a BODY.

HEN
(Sobbing)
Chimney!

BUCK
(Into his radio)
118 to 136, we’ve found him.

Everyone rushes forward as they take in Chimney’s pale face and closed eyes. They take in the bruises formed along his exposed arms, the blood coming from scrapes all over and especially one wound on his head.

Hen is SOBBING so hard all she can do is grab his hand.

Eddie checks Chimney’s pulse.

EDDIE
He’s got a pulse!

Hen CRIES harder.

Eddie pulls open his med-bag, passing a C-collar to Ravi and splints to Buck as they prod Chimney’s body, assessing the injuries. Eddie grabs a medical flashlight, pulling open each of Chimney’s eyelids to check his pupils.

EDDIE (CONT’D)
Right pupil is blown.

BUCK
Abdomen is distended.

RAVI
This head wound is pretty swollen.

EDDIE
Let’s get him ready for transport fast.

BUCK
Hang in there Chim. We’ve got you.

Everyone works to secure Chimney’s body. Hen keeps hanging on.

EDDIE
Running a line.

Eddie attaches an IV to Chimney’s arm. Ravi holds the saline bag up. Buck finishes splinting Chimney’s legs.

The 136 arrive with a BACKBOARD.

EDDIE
Ready, one, two, three.

Chimney is shifted onto the backboard.

EDDIE (CONT’D)
Alright let’s move.

Everyone grabs onto the backboard, Hen still holding Chimney’s hand. The 136 walks off into the woods, lighting the way as the 118 carries their Captain towards the waiting trucks.

The sun is rising through the trees.

FLASHBACK INTRO WOOSH.

INT. HAN RESIDENCE, KITCHEN - NIGHT

Maddie, who is heavily pregnant, is doing the dishes at the kitchen sink, cleaning up from dinner. Chimney comes in the front door, looking tired and taking in the used dishes.

CHIMNEY
Oh, did you eat already?

MADDIE
(Still washing dishes)
Yep.

CHIMNEY
Where’s Jee?

MADDIE
I put her to bed already.

CHIMNEY
Oh.
(Beat)
Here let me do that. You sit down.

Chimney takes over the dishes while Maddie takes a seat at the kitchen counter, relieved to be off her feet. Chimney works in SILENCE for a moment before Maddie picks up the conversation again.

MADDIE
You didn’t text that you were going to be late again.

CHIMNEY
(Apologetic)
I know. I’m sorry, the time got away from me. I didn’t even realize how late it was by the time I finished the paperwork.

MADDIE
This is the third time you’ve missed dinner this month.

CHIMNEY
I know, I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you.

MADDIE
You just...You can’t keep missing bedtime Chim.

CHIMNEY
I know Maddie. Believe me I’d rather be spending time with my daughter than filling out department paperwork.

Chimney’s eyes start welling with TEARS. Maddie notices immediately.

MADDIE
(Concerned)
Hey, did something happen at work?

Chimney puts the dishes down, folding over the sink as he starts to really CRY. Maddie gets up to comfort him.

MADDIE(CONT’D)
Did you guys have a rough call?

CHIMNEY
(Breaking)
Everyday is a rough call. Something happens every day and I’m the one who has to decide what we do and--
(Pulling it back together)
I’m sorry, you’re already doing so much, I don’t mean to pile on.

MADDIE
Hey, Chim no. Howie. This is the stuff you should be talking to me about. We’re partners remember?

Maddie pulls Chimney into a hug. He’s fully CRYING now, defeated against his emotions.

CHIMNEY
It’s just...I always thought if I ever made it to here – becoming Captain, leading a team – that I still...I never pictured doing this without Bobby. Even if he wasn’t with the department, I’d still be able to ask him for advice and now--

Chimney pauses to collect his thoughts.

CHIMNEY (CONT’D)
I’m trying so hard. Everyday I get up and I go to work and I do my job. And then everyone else on the team gets to go home to their families and I have to go sit in that office – his office – and I’m alone. And I know I should be here – I want to be here with you and Jee. And I’m trying to get a handle on everything because we’re only going to get busier once the baby comes but...I keep waiting for things to settle down, to feel like things might be ok, but I sit in that office at the end of my shift, and I can’t shake the feeling like the wind’s going to pick up again.

MADDIE
Have you talked to anyone on the team about this? Hen?

CHIMNEY
No, I can’t. Bobby left this to me. He left them to me. I have to keep it together.

MADDIE
I don’t think this is what he wanted for you Howie. Bobby wouldn’t want you feel like you have to do it all by yourself.

CHIMNEY
But he could do it. He did everything and he was so good at it...I don’t want to be the version of a Captain that we get stuck with when I’m the reason the better option isn’t here.

MADDIE
Chim, this isn’t healthy. I think you need to get some help. It’s ok if you don’t want to talk to the team, but you at least need to talk to someone.

Chimney looks at his Wife, drying his TEARS.

CHIMNEY
You’re right. I’ll talk to someone in the department in the morning.

Maddie wants to believe him.

MADDIE
Ok good. How about we head to bed. Get a good night’s sleep?

CHIMNEY
(Fondly)
What would I do without you?

Maddie LAUGHS him off as they head for their bedroom.

FLASHBACK OUTRO WOOSH

INT. HOSPITAL, WAITING ROOM – DAY

Buck, Eddie, and Ravi are sitting around the hospital waiting room. They are tired and anxious, exhaustion bleeding from each of them.

Hen walks in, eyes puffy from crying. Everyone rises expectantly.

HEN
Chimney’s still in surgery. They said he fractured his skull and a couple ribs.

MADDIE comes running in through the hospital doors. She’s frazzled and CRYING. Buck immediately goes to his sister.

MADDIE
How is he?

BUCK
He’s in surgery. Where are the kids?

MADDIE
Josh is with them. He came to the house to tell me when the phone lines wouldn’t go through. Said he’d watch them so I could come here.

The Buckley Siblings share a long hug.

MADDIE (CONT’D)
I can’t believe this is happening. I told him not to go in, but he kept insisting. Just ran right out of the house.

BUCK
He never made it in for his shift. We were on our way to your house to check on you guys when we came across his car.

MADDIE
How--
(She pauses, choked up)
How did it look.

The resounding SILENCE and lack of EYE CONTACT is answer enough.

MADDIE (CONT’D)
Oh God.

Buck pulls Maddie into another hug.

BUCK
Hey, he’s gonna pull through. It’ll be ok.

MADDIE
You don’t know that. It’s not always ok!

A DOCTOR approaches the Group, making a SOUND to get their attention. Everyone quiets immediately and turns worried gazes to the Doctor.

DOCTOR
He’s still in surgery but we wanted to give you an update.

Everyone gives the Doctor their full attention.

DOCTOR (CONT’D)
Mr. Han has a couple minor injuries including a sprained ankle but we’re more concerned about some larger things. There was some swelling in his brain from a fractured skull. He also fractured two ribs and there was some internal bleeding from blunt force trauma. We had to remove his spleen which the surgeon is doing now. Right now, we’re most concerned about any damage to his brain the head wound might have caused and the blood loss. But we won’t know how extensive the damage is until he wakes up.

Maddie lets out a SOB.

HEN
Do you know when he’ll be out of surgery?

DOCTOR
It’ll be a couple hours still.

BUCK
And after that?...How long until he wakes up?

DOCTOR
We don’t know. With the amount of head trauma it could be a while.

MADDIE
But he will wake up?

DOCTOR
We’re hopeful.

MADDIE
But not certain?

DOCTOR
I’m sorry. We’re doing everything we can. I need to get back to the OR. We’ll update you again as soon as we know more.

The Doctor walks off as the hospital doors OPEN. Athena enters, heading straight for the group.

ATHENA
I just got the call from Dispatch. How is he?

HEN
He’s still in surgery.

Athena takes Maddie’s hand.

ATHENA
How are you?

MADDIE
I just...This is too much. How did this even happen?

EDDIE
Well, there was another car...

MADDIE
Do you think they hit Chimney?

EDDIE
I don’t know. There would’ve been such low visibility from the storm, and we all know how tired Chimney was...

MADDIE
Are you saying Chimney might have done this?

ATHENA
Hey now, no one’s saying that. We won’t know what really happened until he wakes up.

MADDIE
What if he doesn’t wake up? Oh God, what if he never wakes up!?

HEN
He will wake up. He has to.

ATHENA
There will be an investigation regardless. They’ll clear Chimney’s name.

DETECTIVE
Already done.

Everyone swings around to see a police DETECTIVE RICK ROMERO coming up to the Group.

ATHENA
(Greeting)
Detective Romero.

RICK
(Nodding at Athena)
Sargent Grant.
(Addressing the whole Group)
The other driver already cleared Captain Han. He woke up twenty minutes ago and was able to answer a couple questions before needing to rest again.

MADDIE
What did he say?

RICK
He said he crashed his car into the mountain because of the storm. Said someone matching Captain Han’s description had stopped to help but he disappeared. He didn’t remember any more than that.

MADDIE
So, he didn’t hit Chimney’s car?

RICK
Doesn’t seem like it.

BUCK
Then how did Chimney’s car end up flipped over?

Everyone looks at each other in confusion except for Athena and Rick, knowing they’ve come to the same conclusion.

ATHENA
It was a damn hit and run.

INT. GRANT RESIDENCE, KITCHEN – DAY

Chill background theme music.

MAY and HARRY are making breakfast (waffles) at the kitchen counter of their mother’s home.

HARRY
So, the guy held a gun to your head but you want to help him?

MAY
Ya. He just seemed like he was in a really hard place, you know? He’s just someone who fell on bad times and made some bad decisions.

HARRY
And mom was cool with you helping him?

MAY
She reminded me that he’s going to have to face the legal system regardless if I press charges or not but I at least want to do what I can--

May is interrupted by her phone RINGING. She picks it up and answers it on speaker.

MAY (CONT’D)
(Into her phone)
May Grant speaking.

OPERATOR (V.O.)
(Over the phone)
This is a collect call from California State Correctional Facility. Do you accept the charges?

May and Harry share a LOOK.

MAY
I accept the charges.

The phone CLICKS and then RINGS before connecting again.

CLARK (V.O.)
(Over the phone)
Hello?

MAY
Hello?

CLARK (V.O.)
Is this May Grant?

MAY
Um, yes.

CLARK (V.O)
Oh, good. Um, this is Clark, we met at the grocery store?

Harry shoots May a LOOK of concern.

MAY
Oh, Clark, hi. How are you doing?

CLARK (V.O.)
They moved me to one of the state facilities.

MAY
Oh, um, I’m sorry to hear that. Is...is there something I can do for you?

CLARK (V.O.)
I-I know that you can’t get me out. Everything you and your mom said at the store...I know that was just to keep me calm so I wouldn’t hurt anyone--

MAY
Clark--

CLARK (V.O.)
No, it’s alright. I don’t know what I was doing but I know I have to face up to that now.

MAY
I’m sorry.

CLARK (V.O.)
Thanks. I’m sorry too.

MAY
I still want to help you though.

CLARK (V.O.)
That’s why I called. You might not be able to help me but my nephew – Ryan – he doesn’t deserve any of this. They’re sending him into foster care, but I just got word that there aren’t any emergency placements available so they’re sending him to a group home. I spent enough time in one as a teen to know that my sister wouldn’t want that for him...If there’s anything you can do to help him...

May shares another LOOK with Harry, the wheels turning in her head.

MAY
Let me make a call.

EXT. MOUNTAIN ROAD, CRASH SITE – DAY

Chill background theme music.

Athena is walking around the road of the crash site with Rick. Both cars have been removed but the SKID MARKS remain, etched into the tar.

She looks at the side of the mountain where the first car crashed. There are black scuff marks in the rock from the bumper but no other evidence.

Athena turns to the skid marks. There are two sets. One forms a loop before abruptly stopping.

ATHENA
(Pointing to the skid marks)
See these. The loop and cut off are from where Chimney’s car became airborne before flipping over.

RICK
(Gesturing to the other skid marks)
And this set belongs to the other car.

They focus on the other set of skid marks which runs over the ones from Chimney’s car with a slight swerve before trailing off down the road.

ATHENA
So, they hit Chimney’s car, it goes tumbling towards the cliff...

RICK
And they don’t even stop.

ATHENA
Just regain control of the wheel and keep on going.

RICK
Do you think they didn’t see his car because of the storm?

They look at the skid marks trailing down the road again.

ATHENA
No, they didn’t even slow down.

RICK
So how are we going to find this driver?

Athena walks over to the side of the road where Chimney’s car was. There is still blood on the guardrail. She is looking around for evidence when a metallic GLINT catches her eye from the underbrush.

Walking over, Athena sees a small AUTOMOTIVE TOOL. She picks it up turning the item over to reveal a sticker reading PROPERTY OF JOE’S MECHANICS. Athena holds up the tool for Rick to see.

ATHENA
I’ve got an idea where to start.

INT. HOSPITAL, CHIMNEY’S ROOM – DAY

Chimney is now in a hospital bed in a private room. His head is heavily bandaged. Hen sits in a chair on one side of the bed, Maddie on the other, holding Chimney’s hand. Buck stands at his Sister’s back.

MADDIE
C’mon Howie, you have to wake up.

There is no response except the steady BEEP, BEEP of the heart monitor.

Eddie knocks on the door, holding several COFFEES. Buck helps him pass them out. Maddie and Hen fall into SILENCE again, holding the warm cups for comfort. Buck gives Eddie a NOD and they both step out of the room.

HOSPITAL HALLWAY

BUCK
Any updates from Athena?

EDDIE
Not yet.

BUCK
Chris?

EDDIE
Karen’s still with the kids at her house. She hasn’t told them about Chimney yet. Not until we know more.

BUCK
Or he goes long enough without a change...

EDDIE
Hey, don’t think like that. He’s going to wake up.

BUCK
I hate waiting.

Eddie and Buck look at each other, their shared history of waiting in a hospital going unspoken.

A Woman coming around the hallway corner catches their attention. It’s SOPHIE (30s, female) from the baseball game.

SOPHIE
Oh, it’s you.

BUCK
Oh, hi. How’s your son?

SOPHIE
Oh, they just stabilized his ankle. He won’t be playing baseball for a few weeks, but he should be fine. My parents took him home last night.

EDDIE
You here with your wife still?

Sophie is clearly exhausted, having spent another night in the hospital with her son and wife.

SOPHIE
We’re still waiting for her to wake up.

EDDIE
Do they know why her heart kept stopping?

SOPHIE
Not yet. They’re running more tests.

Sophie seems to recognize that the 118 being in the hospital is abnormal.

SOPHIE
(Concerned)
Wait, what about you? Why are you here?

BUCK
Um, our Captain was in a car accident.

SOPHIE
Oh my goodness, is he going to be ok?

EDDIE
He had some surgery. We’re still waiting for him to wake up too.

BUCK
You’re welcome to wait with us if you’d like some company.

SOPHIE
Oh, I don’t want to impose.

EDDIE
You’re not. And we’ve got coffee.

Eddie holds out an extra coffee CUP to Sophie.

SOPHIE
You know what, ya, that would be nice.

Sophie accepts the cup as they go to sit down in the chairs in the hall.

INT. JOE’S MECHANIC SHOP, GARAGE – DAY

Chill background theme music.

Athena and Rick walk into a mechanic shop, a sign declaring JOE’S ownership at the top of the garage. A MECHANIC (50s, male) is bent over the open hood of a car.

ATHENA
You Joe?

The Mechanic jerks up, taking in the approaching Officers.

MECHANIC
What’s it to you?

The Officers clock the JOE name tag on the Mechanic’s overalls.

RICK
We believe this belongs to this establishment.

Rick offers the tool from the crash site. The Mechanic wipes his hands on a rag, taking the tool.

MECHANIC
(Surprised)
Thanks, I’ve been looking for this. Where’d you find it?

The Officers ignore the question.

ATHENA
Where were you yesterday?

MECHANIC
(Getting sceptical)
I was here. Worked all day.

RICK
And last night?

MECHANIC
At home...

ATHENA
What road did you take to get there?

RICK
The I-9. Am I in trouble or something?

Athena and Rick share a LOOK. According to the Mechanic, he was nowhere near the crash site.

RICK (CONT’D)
No trouble. You wouldn’t happen to have any employees that live on a mountain road would you?

The Mechanic seems to realize where this is going.

MECHANIC
(SIGHING)
God, what did Jimmy do now?

ATHENA
Jimmy?

MECHANIC
One of my mechanics. Lives up on the mountain. Guy’s honestly such a pain in my ass. Skips his shifts, shows up late. I’m trying to run a business, you know, and this guy...well let’s just say he drags everyone around him down. Actually, I thought he might’ve been stealing from me, but I guess I have my answer to that.

He holds up the automotive tool.

MECHANIC (CONT’D)
You find this in his truck or something?

RICK
Actually, we found it on the side of the road.

ATHENA
This type of behaviour is a regular pattern for Jimmy?

MECHANIC
Oh, ya. Yesterday he showed up late and the guy was already tanked. Again. I sent him home as soon as he got to the garage. Drove off in a huff before I could stop him.
(Beat)
He didn’t hurt anybody did he?

RICK
(Somber)
We’re investigating a hit and run accident that took place yesterday. Two people are in critical condition.

MECHANIC
(Horrified)
Oh, God.

ATHENA
You wouldn’t happen to have an address for Jimmy, would you?

INT. HOSPITAL, CHIMNEY’S ROOM – DAY

Chill background theme music.

Chimney is still sleeping in his hospital bed. The only sounds in the room are his BREATHING and the BEEPING of the heart monitor.

Maddie and Hen sit at Chimney’s bedside, watching over him. They are both clearly overworked and overtired, having been there for hours. Maddie is the first to break the SILENCE.

MADDIE
I shouldn’t have let him go out in that storm.

HEN
We both know there’s no letting Chimney do anything.

MADDIE
He would’ve listened if I had put my foot down more. I knew he was too tired. He’s always tired now.

HEN
(Sincere)
Ya, we’ve noticed too.

MADDIE
He was supposed to be talking to someone with the department, but I don’t think he’s been going to his sessions.

HEN
I’d be surprised if he even had time in the first place.

(Beat)
He’s always running around when we’re on shift. Will barely sit down. Just keeps trying to do everything himself.

MADDIE
I keep trying to get him to talk to you.

HEN
I’ve been trying too.

MADDIE
I told him he was going to run himself into the ground if he kept going like this.

They both pause, looking at Chimney’s battered body.

MADDIE (CONT’D)
There are days where it feels like he’s trying to live too much. Like he feels like if he doesn’t do absolutely everything then whatever we’ve all been through isn’t worth it.

HEN
This job takes a lot out of you. But the one thing we’ve always known is that a shared burden is easier to bear.

MADDIE
I’ve just been trying to remind him that he has so many things to live for. He feels such a responsibility for the Captaincy that it’s like he’s forgotten that he had his own things that made his life worthwhile outside of work.

HEN
I keep trying to tell him that his legacy is his own to make but he has it in his head that he owes this to Bobby.

MADDIE
I don’t know how to convince him that what he can offer is enough. He doesn’t--

Intense background theme music.

Maddie is cut off as Chimney’s body starts JERKING. The heart monitor starts BEEPING at an alarming rate.

HEN
He’s seizing!

Hen and Maddie jump up, holding Chimney down so he doesn’t hurt himself. Two NURSES come running in from the hallway.

NURSE 1
Give us some space.

NURSE 2
I’m sorry, but you need to leave the room.

Nurse 2 starts guiding Maddie and Hen out of the way while Nurse 1 starts working on Chimney. A DOCTOR comes running in as Maddie and Hen are pushed out the door. Buck, Eddie, Ravi, and Sophie rise in concern from where they were waiting in the hallway.

BUCK
What happened?

HEN
He’s having a seizure.

They all look through the door of Chimney’s room as the Medical Team works frantically.

DOCTOR
Push four of Ativan. We need to get him stabilized.

The heart monitor is BEEPING faster.

A COMMOTION down the hall briefly draws focus. Another heart monitor is letting out the prolonged TONE of a FLATLINE. More DOCTORS and NURSES are running into another room.

ANNOUNCEMENT (V.O.)
Code blue in 215. Code blue in 215.

Sophie FREEZES.

SOPHIE
That’s Kat!

Sophie runs down the hall as the 118 looks between Kat and Chimney’s rooms in concern.

Maddie starts CRYING again.

They can briefly hear Doctor 2’s orders from Kat’s room.

DOCTOR 2
Charging...Clear!

In Chimney’s room, Doctor 1 is giving more orders.

DOCTOR 1
Let’s get 500 of Keppra.

The 118 looks on in trepidation as the TONES of the heart monitors merge together, creating one overwhelming BEEEEEEP.

FLASHBACK INTRO WOOSH

INT. HOSPITAL, BIRTHING ROOM - DAY

The BEEPING of the heart monitor fades back to a steady rhythm as sounds of SCREAMING and GRUNTING fade in. Maddie is lying in a hospital bed, giving birth. DOCTORS and NURSES move about the room.

Chimney comes running into the room, frantic and sweaty.

CHIMNEY
I’m here, I’m here! I didn’t miss it did I?

DOCTOR
You’re just in time.

Chimney pulls up a chair to Maddie’s bedside, grabbing her hand. Maddie shoots him a pained smile.

MADDIE
I’m glad you’re here.

CHIMNEY
Wouldn’t miss it for the world.

The BEEPING of the heart monitor rises again as--

FLASHBACK OUTRO WOOSH

INT. HOSPITAL, HALLWAY – DAY

Nurses push the 118 out of the way as they wheel Chimney’s hospital bed out of his room.

MADDIE
(Panicked)
What’s happening?

HEN
Where are you taking him?!

The Doctor pauses as the Medical Team is rushing Chimney down the hall.

DOCTOR
He’s bleeding internally again. We’re rushing him to emergency surgery.

The Doctor runs off after the Medical Team.

Maddie falls into Buck as she SOBS--

FLASHBACK INTRO WOOSH

INT. HOSPITAL, BIRTHING ROOM - DAY

Maddie is CRYING in pain. Chimney sits beside her, holding her hand as she CRUSHES it in her grip.

CHIMNEY
You’ve got this Maddie, just keep breathing.

Maddie BREATHES in an exaggerated birthing pattern between GRUNTS of pain.

CHIMNEY
You’re almost there. Our son is almost here. You can do this.

The DOCTOR sits at the foot of the bed between Maddie’s legs.

DOCTOR
Alright, one more big push. Ready, now!

Maddie gives another push, SCREAMING--

FLASHBACK OUTRO WOOSH

INT. HOSPITAL, HALLWAY – DAY

Sophie is YELLING as she’s pushed out of Kat’s room and into the hallway.

SOPHIE
Kat! Please, I need to be with her!

The Nurse is holding her outside the door.

NURSE
Ma’am, you need to give us space to work.

Hen looks between Maddie still in Buck’s arms and Sophie standing on her own in the hallway, looking lost. The Group moves towards Kat’s room.

SOPHIE
Please, I need to be with her!

Hen comes over, gently taking Sophie’s arm.

HEN
Hey, it’s ok, you need to give them space to work. They’re going to do everything they can.

Sophie looks at Hen, recognizing the friendly face.

HEN
We’ve got you.

Sophie falls into Hen as the TONE of a FLATLINE rises again--

FLASHBACK INTRO WOOSH

INT. HOSPITAL, BIRTHING ROOM - DAY

The CRY of a newborn Baby fills the room as the Doctor holds up a squirming INFANT.

The Doctor lays the Baby on Maddie’s chest as they pass Chimney a pair of scissors.

DOCTOR
Do you want to cut the cord?

CHIMNEY
(Excitedly nervous)
Ok.

Chimney takes the scissors. The Baby QUIETS as he cuts the umbilical cord.

Both Parents look down at their Baby. TEARS well in Chimney’s eyes.

MADDIE
He’s perfect.

CHIMNEY
He is.

MADDIE
Hi Robert.

Chimney pulls Maddie to him, planting a KISS on her head. He looks at his family, feeling overwhelmed with the blessings he has in his life, feeling grateful for the extra time he was given by Bobby’s sacrifice to be here.

Chimney casts his gaze upward, to heaven.

CHIMNEY (CONT’D)
Thank you.

FLASHBACK OUTRO WOOSH

INT. HOSPITAL, CHIMNEY’S ROOM – DAY

Chimney slowly opens his eyes, surveying his surroundings. He is lying in a hospital bed and Hen is sleeping in the chair next to him. Chimney shifts, GRUNTING as pain runs through his body.

Hen JOLTS awake. Taking in Chimney’s conscious appearance, she immediately starts CRYING.

CHIMNEY
Hey.

HEN
(Teary)
Hey...How are you feeling?

CHIMNEY
Like I got hit by a truck.

Hen CRIES and LAUGHS at the same time.

HEN
You gave us a pretty good scare.

CHIMNEY
Ya, I probably should’ve listened to Maddie when she tried to get me to stay home.

Chimney takes in more of his surroundings.

CHIMNEY (CONT’D)
Where is Maddie?

HEN
She’s fine. Buck finally convinced her to eat something so they’re in the cafeteria.

CHIMNEY
I’ve got to stop subjecting my wife to hospital cafeteria food.

HEN
I think we could all use a break from hospital waiting rooms.

The conversation trails off as they both think about their recent losses.

HEN
(Tentative)
Chim...Why didn’t you tell me you were struggling?

CHIMNEY
I just thought...Bobby could do it all, you know? The wife, family, the job. And he still made time for all of our stuff too. I guess I just thought that if I couldn’t do everything that he did in the same way he did it then I wasn’t worthy of the Captaincy. I wasn’t worthy of what he did for me.

HEN
Chimney...You don’t need to be Bobby. No one expects you to be exactly the type of Captain he was, not even Bobby. This is a big change for all of us and part of that is working out how to move forward together.
(Beat)
You know, Bobby might’ve seemed like he had it all together, but he had his fair share of struggles too. One of the good things about his Captaincy was that he knew when to ask for help.

Chimney takes in his bruised and bandaged body before looking back at Hen.

CHIMNEY
(Choking up)
Help.

Hen gives him a wobbly SMILE, getting up to HUG him.

A GASP at the door breaks them apart. Maddie and Buck are standing in the doorway, Eddie and Ravi in the hall behind them.

MADDIE
You’re awake!

Maddie rushes over as Hen moves out of the way, offering her the chair at Chimney’s bedside. Maddie gives her husband a hug before sitting down, clinging to his hand.

CHIMNEY
Hey you.

MADDIE
Hey yourself.
(Beat)
How are you feeling?

Chimney looks at his Wife, taking in his Extended Family gathered around him.

CHIMNEY
(More assured)
Better.

EXT. RESIDENCE, FRONT PORCH – DAY

Intense background theme music.

Athena and Rick approach a dilapidated home. There is a PICKUP TRUCK in the driveway with a large dent in the front.

The Officers walk up the porch and Athena KNOCKS on the door.

A voice calls out from inside the home.

JIMMY (V.O.)
No solicitors! Go away!

Athena KNOCKS again.

ATHENA
LAPD. Jimmy Lars open up!

There is a SHUFFLING and CLUNKING from inside the house.

Athena signals for Rick to head around back before KNOCKING on the door again.

ATHENA (CONT’D)
LAPD. Mr. Lars, we have a warrant, I’m coming in!

Both Officers ready their guns. Rick walks around the side of the house as Athena braces, KICKING down the door.

Athena catches a glimpse of Jimmy ESCAPING out the back door.

ATHENA (CONT’D)
(Into her radio)
Suspect went through the rear exit. 727-L-30 in pursuit.

Athena RUNS through the house and out the back door. She scans the yard for Jimmy but doesn’t see him. The gate at the side of the house is still SWINGING. Athena heads through in pursuit.

Jimmy is running down the side alley and is almost at the corner. Athena raises her gun.

ATHENA (CONT’D)
Freeze!

Jimmy keeps running, heading for the corner. Athena is debating taking a shot when Rick steps out at the other end of the alley, gun pointed at Jimmy.

RICK
Stop right there!

Jimmy comes up short, stopping as he eyes the two blocked exits and two guns raised in his direction.

Jimmy slowly raises his hands. Athena holsters her gun, getting out her handcuffs.

ATHENA
Jimmy Lars, you’re under arrest.

INT. HOSPITAL, CHIMNEY’S ROOM – NIGHT

The members of the 118 and MADDIE are gathered around Chimney’s hospital bed. Everyone is LAUGHING at some joke Chimney told.

CHIMNEY
I mean, what are the odds of ending up in the hospital for the same type of emergency twice?

RAVI
Well, you should’ve seen Buck in that palm tree.

EDDIE
How about we don’t tempt fate again.

Chimney looks between the Boys in confusion. A KNOCK at the door draws their attention to Sophie.

HEN
Oh, hey, how’s your wife?

SOPHIE
She’s ok. They finally figured out what was wrong with her.

EDDIE
What was it?

SOPHIE
Rhabdomyolysis.

BUCK
(Confused)
Rhabdo-what?

HEN
Rhabdomyolysis. It happens in elite athletes sometimes. Essentially, your muscles start breaking down and it affects your electrolytes. You said her potassium was high on the initial tests?

SOPHIE
Ya, they originally treated it with fluids, and she could’ve been fine but the stress of the storm shot her levels up again--

HEN
And the overload of potassium sent her into V-TACH.

SOPHIE
But she’s going to be ok now. And so is our son. Thanks to you.

Sophie SMILES gratefully at the Firefighters.

HEN
We’re just doing our jobs.

SOPHIE
Well, it’s an important one. And I’m not just talking about being a paramedic. I wouldn’t have made it through the last couple days without your support – all of you. The world needs more people like you.

Sophie shoots everyone another NOD of thanks before backing out the door.

Athena comes into the room and everyone turns to her expectantly.

ATHENA
We got him.

MADDIE
The person who hit Chimney?

ATHENA
(Nodding)
It was a drunk driver. Turns out he has priors. Now he’s not going to be able to hurt anyone else for a long time.

Maddie NODS gratefully at Athena.

CHIMNEY
Well, I am incredibly grateful for everything you’ve all done for me.

EDDIE
It wouldn’t be the 118 without you.

RAVI
We’ve got your back.

BUCK
Ya, you’re our Captain.

HEN
And we’re all here to help. Whatever you need.

CHIMNEY
Thanks guys.

SQUEALING draws their attention back to the door. Josh is holding baby ROBERT as JEE-YUN runs into the room.

JOSH
I hope we’re not interrupting?

JEE-YUN
Daddy!

CHIMNEY
Come here you!

Chimney SHIFTS with a WINCE as his Daughter jumps onto his bed, giving her Dad a big hug. Maddie accepts a SQUIRMING Robert from Josh.

Chimney looks fondly at his gathered family. Everyone LAUGHS, overcome with joy.

“I Can See Clearly Now” by Johnny Nash plays.

Focus zooms out from the happy Group.

CHIMNEY (V.O.)
Sometimes the world knocks you down so many times, it no longer feels worth it to get back up.

HOSPITAL HALLWAY

May and Harry are walking into the hospital with a BOY (9) and a SOCIAL WORKER. They approach a HOSPITAL ROOM and KNOCK on the door. It opens to reveal ERNEST (60s, male), the cashier from the grocery store. DELIA (70s, female), the woman from the grocery store, lays in a hospital bed, hooked up to a heart monitor. They both SMILE warmly and welcome the Group in.

May pulls the Boy forward.

MAY
Ryan, this is Ernest.

ERNEST
Hello Ryan, I’m a friend of your uncle. He’s asked me to take care of you until he can see you again.

Ernest offers his HAND with a SMILE and Ryan takes it. Ernest guides Ryan over to Delia’s bedside and she SMILES as she introduces herself. May and Harry look on happily.

CHIMNEY (V.O.)
When the strain of hard choices and harder outcomes starts to feel like you might sink into the darkness forever, it is the people who love us that remind us to search for the light.

KAT’S HOSPITAL ROOM

Sophie sits next to Kat’s hospital bed, pulling her Wife in for a KISS. Their son, JACKSON (14) comes through the door on CRUTCHES, his foot bandaged. His moms open their arms to happily welcome their son.

CHIMNEY (V.O.)
To overcome the hard times and seek out second chances because the greatest joy of your life might be right around the corner.

CHIMNEY’S HOPSITAL ROOM

KAREN arrives with CHRISTOPHER, DENNY, and MARA in tow. Great CHEERS go up from the 118.

DENNY
You guys having a party without us?

Everyone LAUGHS.

The Kids’ Firefighter Parents go to greet them with big HUGS.

CHIMNEY (V.O.)
As first responders, we’re faced everyday with the hard reality of what the world can throw at us. But we also get to see the best of people shine through.

May and Harry arrive at Chimney’s room. Ernest and Ryan are with them. Ernest and Harry are carrying boxes of melting ice cream.

MAY
I brought some new friends.

Ernest holds up his box for the 118 to see the contents.

ERNEST
This was just going to go to waste at the store. What with the power being out...

BUCK
Well with an offer like that...

ATHENA
The more the marrier.

Athena HUGS her Children as they pass out tubs of ice cream. Everyone digs in with lots of SMILES and LAUGHTER, delighting in the strength and joy of their found family. Chimney takes in the room.

CHIMNEY (V.O.)
Because at the end of the day, it’s not about what you can withstand alone, but how you’ll weather the storm together.

ROLL CREDITS.

Chapter Text

9-1-1 DIAL TONE.

INT. BUCK’S APARTMENT – DAY

Panning around the apartment reveals that it is barely lived in. Unpacked boxes stand against one wall. Takeout containers litter the kitchen counter instead of dishes.

MADDIE (V.O.)
Don’t sweat the small stuff. That’s the advice most people give to get over minor inconveniences. But what about when those inconveniences become a pattern?

There are no photos hung on the wall that leads to the BEDROOM. BUCK lies sleeping on a bed in the middle of the room, sheets tangled around his legs. Boxes overflowing with clothes are stacked against one of the walls.

Maddie (V.O.)
When a one-time annoyance clings on past it’s due date, how do you not make mountains out of molehills? How do you keep that pesky voice in the back of your head from taking over every thought until the misery starts to control your life?

Focus is drawn to Buck’s sleeping face. He’s clearly had a rough night, mouth hanging open--

ROCK MUSIC!!! (“Gives You Hell by the All-American Rejects) blares through the bedroom wall from the next-door apartment.

Buck STARTLES awake, jerking up in bed. He GLARES at the wall between their units.

Maddie (V.O.)
Because misery has a way of being contagious.

Buck GROANS dramatically as he grabs his pillow, flopping back down and covering his face to block out the noise.

TITLE SEQUENCE

Chill background theme music.

INT. FIREHOUSE, FIREHALL - DAY

HEN is standing in the Firehall, looking up at the Loft Balcony where EDDIE and RAVI are hanging a SIGN reading “WELCOME BACK CHIMNEY!”

HEN
A little higher on the left.

Ravi raises his side of the sign.

HEN (CONT’D)
A little less.

Ravi lowers the sign back to its original position.

HEN (CONT’D)
Perfect.

Buck comes RUNNING in.

BUCK
I didn’t miss it did I?

HEN
You’re late!

BUCK
Sorry, got a rough start this morning.

He eyes the table of treats set up below the sign.

HEN
Don’t even think about it.

Buck’s stomach RUMBLES. He clearly skipped breakfast.

BUCK
But--

HEN
No. Not until Chimney gets here.

Eddie and Ravi come down the stairs and the Group gathers around the table.

EDDIE
Careful, you do not want to get between Buck and carbs.

CHIMNEY
I’m sure you’re speaking from experience.

Everyone JUMPS, swinging around to see CHIMNEY standing behind them in the Firehall. They try to play off their surprise.

HEN
Chimney!

EDDIE
Hey, Chim!

RAVI
Welcome back Cap!

Buck grabs a donut while no one is looking, shoving it in his mouth. Hen SMACKS him jokingly.

HEN
(To Chimney)
How are you feeling?

CHIMNEY
I definitely caught up on some much-needed sleep and spent a good amount of quality time with my kids. I’m on light duty for another few weeks but it’s good to be back.

EDDIE
Well, we missed you.

BUCK
And we got you a cake!

The Team parts to reveal a large cake on the table. It reads “YOU’RE ON A ROLL!”

RAVI
I came up with the design.

CHIMNEY
(Sarcastic)
Thanks, I appreciate it.

Buck, Eddie, and Ravi load up their plates with treats and walk off. Hen plates up a piece of cake, passing it to Chimney.

HEN
You sure you’re ready to be back?

CHIMNEY
The department psychiatrist has really helped put some things into perspective for me over the last month. And having this time with my kids...I’ve realized that the important things need to come first.

HEN
You’re not stepping down as Captain, are you?

CHIMNEY
(Joking)
And let who take over? Buck? No, I had something else in mind.

HEN
Like what?

CHIMNEY
You said I didn’t have to be the same kind of Captain as Bobby. That I should try to make the position my own.

HEN
And I meant it.

CHIMNEY
Well, I’ve been thinking; Bobby needed to lead the way he did because he was building this team from the ground up. But we’re not a new team anymore. Everyone is experienced and good at their jobs in their own way. I should be trying to play to people’s strengths instead of taking on everything myself.

HEN
So, you’re going to let us help lighten the load?

CHIMNEY
Ya. What makes us a great team is that we really are a team. I don’t need to do it all myself because I can rely on all of you.

They look over at the Boys, chatting happily while eating cake.

HEN
We’ve got your back, Cap.

INT. DISPATCH CENTER – DAY

JOSH is showing a new dispatch recruit around the Call Center. It’s GRAHAM KEY (20s, male, previously known as CART COP). Graham is eagerly following Josh as they weave through desks on the dispatch floor.

GRAHAM
(Rambling)
Thanks for showing me around. You know, I tried to get into the police academy, but they said I couldn’t meet the physical requirements. But I still wanted to be a first responder so Sargent Grant--

JOSH
You know Athena Grant?

GRAHAM
Oh, ya, she saved me from that apartment collapse last spring. But we actually met earlier. I used to do this kind of vigilante thing at the supermarket--

JOSH
Ok, Graham, let’s save story time for later.

Arriving at his desk, Josh takes a seat, gesturing for Graham to take the chair next to him.

JOSH (CONT’D)
Here’s how shadowing works. I talk, you listen, and hopefully you learn something about being a dispatcher. Questions?

GRAHAM
Do--

JOSH
Save them for after my state mandated ten-minute break, which will be in--
(Checking his watch)
Three hours and six minutes.

Josh puts on his headset.

JOSH (CONT’D)
First thing. Everybody lies. People are the ultimate unreliable narrators. You can’t trust people, only yourself. If it sounds like bull, it probably is.

The line RINGS. Josh ANSWERS the call.

JOSH (CONT’D)
9-1-1 what’s your emergency?

CALLER 1 (V.O.)
I can’t find the tv remote. I think my asshole brother stole it.

JOSH
Sir, this line is reserved for emergencies only.

CALLER 1 (V.O.)
I know. The game is on in two minutes, and I can’t get the tv on!

JOSH
Sir, that is not an emergency.

CALLER 1 (V.O.)
Did you not hear the part about my brother?

JOSH
Are you calling to report a theft? Do you require the police?

CALLER 1 (V.O.)
Hey, I didn’t say anything about getting cops involved--

JOSH
Sir, it is illegal to call 9-1-1 with a false claim. I need to keep this line open for actual emergencies. Try turning the tv on manually.

Josh DISCONNECTS the call. He gives Graham an annoyed look.

JOSH (CONT’D)
So that’s going to happen about fifteen to fifty times a day. Your job is to make sure they aren’t confused and trying to relay an actual emergency. And once you realize they’re just idiots being a pain in your ass, get the line clear and hang up the phone.

Graham gives an earnest NOD. Josh is clearly intimidating him with his rapid speech.

The line RINGS again and Josh ANSWERS.

JOSH (CONT’D)
9-1-1 what’s your emergency?

EXT. RESIDENTIAL BACKYARD GARDEN – DAY

“Run Rabbit Run” by Flanagan & Allen plays.

A GARDENER (60s, female) is weeding an overflowing and vibrant garden in the backyard of her house.

Her NEIGHBOUR (50s, male) is in his backyard, watching the Gardener over a short fence. He is watering plants that are unfortunately dying with a garden hose.

NEIGHBOUR
(Enviously eyeing the other garden)
Garden’s looking great.

GARDENER
(Proud)
Thank you.

As she finishes pulling the last weed from her squash patch, she pulls aside a large leaf to see an almost-ripe SQUASH.

GARNER
(Pleased)
Should be perfect tomorrow.

THE NEXT MORNING, the Gardener heads outside with her tools. She goes straight for the squash patch, pulling aside the leaf to reveal--

Nothing. The squash is gone. The Gardener looks around, trying to find the culprit but sees no one. There is just a large patch of leafy greens.

A DAY LATER, the Gardener heads out to the backyard again when she abruptly STOPS in shock.

A patch of LETTUCE in the garden has been ripped down to the roots. The Gardener once again looks around for the culprit but sees nothing. She walks off with a disgruntled HUFF.

She comes back to the garden carrying fencing and cages. She sets it up around the vegetation, GUMRBLING angrily.

THE NEXT DAY, the Gardener comes outside to find more of her plants depleted, even inside the cages.

GARDENER
Those little pests!

The Gardener once again angrily stomps away.

This time she comes back with a spray bottle of PESTICIDE. She sprays down the whole garden thoroughly. Then she brings over a bunch of animal traps, setting them up.

THE NEXT DAY, the Gardener comes outside to find even more of her plants missing. Completely fed up, she stalks over to one of the traps, to find the covered cage WRIGGLING but she cannot see what is inside.

GARDENER
Now I’ve got you!

The Gardener reaches out for the trap then YELPS!

The music STOPS.

9-1-1 CALL SCREEN and TONE.

DISPATCHER (V.O.)
9-1-1 what’s your emergency?

CALLER (GARDENER, V.O.)
I’ve caught the thief! And he bit me!

EXT. RESIDENTIAL BACKYARD GARDEN – DAY

Chill background theme music.

The 118 arrive on scene. They head to the backyard where the Gardener greets them, clutching her bleeding hand.

GARDENER
The little thief bit me!

CHIMNEY
Hen, can you take a look at that?

Hen comes forward to start assessing the Gardener’s hand.

CHIMNEY (CONT’D)
Ma’am, dispatch said something about a thief. Are they still on the property?

GARDENER
(Pointing enthusiastically)
Yes! I caught them. They’re right over there.

Everyone looks to where the Gardener is pointing at the garden.

EDDIE
I don’t see anyone?

GARDENER
(Pointing at the cage)
They’re in there! I trapped them!

Eddie and Ravi exchange a LOOK as Buck cautiously walks towards to where the Gardener is pointing. The trap gives a SHAKE and Buck JUMPS.

CHIMNEY
(Confused)
You trapped the thief in there?

Buck hesitantly reaches out, grasping the cover over the trap pulling it back to reveal--

BUCK
(Happy and cute)
Bunny.

The rest of the 118 GROAN in annoyance.

CHIMNEY
(Into his radio)
Dispatch, cancel the police units. I don’t think they’ll be interested in arresting this suspect.
(To the Gardener)
Ma’am, did you call 9-1-1 on a rabbit?

GARDENER
That rabbit is a thief! He has been eating all of the plants in my garden. It’s been a massacre of vegetative proportions!

HEN
Ma’am are you aware that it is a crime to make a false claim to 9-1-1?

The Gardener looks momentarily WORRIED before they remember their injured hand.

GARDENER
Well, it bit me! I’m injured and in need of medical attention.

CHIMNEY
Ma’am the 9-1-1 line is for emergencies only. A minor animal bite is not--

A COMOTION from across the fence grabs everyone’s attention. The Neighbour is coming out of his house. He’s in his bath robe, looking mildly unwell and concerned at the emergency services in the yard.

NEIGHBOUR
What happened? Is everyone ok?

GARDENER
I finally caught the one whose been stealing all my plants!

NEIGHBOUR
Caught them? Um, who-who was it?

The Gardener gestures proudly to the animal trap. The 118 give the Neighbour an exasperated look.

CHIMNEY
The master criminal is Peter Rabbit.

NEIGHBOUR
You called 9-1-1 on a rabbit?

GARDENER
(Slightly embarrassed)
No! I called 9-1-1 because it bit me.

There’s a BEAT of everyone looking at each other in annoyed disbelief before Hen jumps in.

HEN
Alright, let’s take a look at that hand since we’re already here.

Hen goes to examine the Gardener’s hand.

HEN
You shouldn’t need stitches. Eddie, can you pass me some gauze? Ma’am are you up to date on your vaccines?

As the Paramedics get to work on the Gardener, Buck surreptitiously breaks off one of the plants, happily holding it through the cage for the rabbit to eat.

BUCK
There you go little guy. You’ve had a pretty eventful day.

Chimney surveys the group again before noticing the Neighbour is looking a little green and swaying on his feet.

CHIMNEY
Sir, are you feeling ok?

The Neighbour tries to brush off Chimney’s concern, opening his mouth to reassure the group when he abruptly VOMITS.

RAVI
Woah!

Ravi rushes over along with Chimney, catching the Neighbour as he doubles over, still RETCHING violently.

CHIMNEY (CONT’D)
Sir, what did you have to eat today?

The Neighbour is struggling to answer. Eddie comes over, leaving Hen with the Gardener.

EDDIE
Have you been feeling ill lately?

NEIGHBOUR
No, it just started this morning.

CHIMNEY
You’ve already thrown up this morning?

The Neighbour just GROANS, clutching his stomach. His pallor is concerningly grey.

EDDIE
Did you have anything unusual for breakfast? Any meat or dairy?

GARDENER
Oh no, he’s vegan. I bring him fresh salads all the time.

By the garden, something has peaked Buck’s interest. He leans forward, smelling the plant that he had been feeding to the rabbit, scrunching his nose.

Eddie and Chimney MURMER to each other, trying to figure out what’s wrong.

EDDIE
E-coli maybe?

CHIMNEY
There’s no current reported cases.

Buck gets up to look around the garden before his eyes alight on the bottle of pesticide spray.

BUCK
Uh, Cap, I think I’ve got something.

Chimney leaves the Neighbour with Eddie and Ravi, heading over to Buck. Buck picks up the bottle of pesticide.

BUCK
I think I know who the real Peter Rabbit is.

RAVI
(Giving the Neighbour a sceptical look)
You don’t wash your vegetables before eating them?

NEIGHBOUR
(Giving Ravi a guilty look)
They’re organic?

The Gardener looks up at Buck in SHOCK before turning ANGRY eyes on the Neighbour.

GARDENER
You! You’re the one who’s been stealing my vegetables!

The Neighbour guiltily hunches over and VOMITS again.

Chimney SIGHS.

CHIMNEY
(Into his radio)
Dispatch, tell poison control to meet us at the hospital.

FRONT OF THE HOUSE

MOMENTS LATER, the Neighbour is being packed into the ambulance, still GROANING as Hen holds the Gardener back.

GARDENER
He stole my squash!

HEN
Ma’am, you are welcome to file a police report for theft if you would like, but right now he needs to be taken to the hospital to have his stomach pumped.

GARDENER
(Calling after the Neighbour)
You’re not going to get away with this!

Eddie climbs into the ambulance as Chimney SLAMS the door behind him, cutting off whatever else the Gardener wanted to say.

Buck comes out from the backyard, carrying the rabbit in the cage.

BUCK
Alright little guy, I know a rabbit sanctuary that I think would be perfect for you.

Hen leaves the Gardener, getting into the driver’s seat of the ambulance. Buck and Chimney get into the engine.

The Gardener shakes a fist as they drive away.

GARDENER
Damn pests!

9-1-1 DIAL TONE.

INT. BUCK’S APARTMENT BUILDING, HALLWAY – DAY

“Gives You Hell" by the All-American Rejects plays.

Athena walks down the hall of an apartment building, approaching the door to a unit. She KNOCKS.

The MUSIC drowns her out. Athena KNOCKS harder.

ATHENA
LAPD! Open up!

The MUISC abruptly STOPS. There is quiet SHUFFLING and MUFFLED CONVERSATION on the other side of the door.

ATHENA
LAPD. I know you’re in there.

The lock CLICKS as the door swings open to reveal the BAND LEADER (20s, male). He sizes Athena up before casually leaning against the door frame.

BAND LEADER
Is there a problem Officer?

ATHENA
(Not impressed)
We have received several calls of concern in regard to your unit.

BAND LEADER
(Aloof)
Concern? I don’t know why anyone would be calling about that.

Athena peaks behind the Band Leader, eyeing the instruments strewn about the room behind.

ATHENA
I think I have an idea of what the calls are about.

BAND LEADER
Oh that? We’re just making music. Who could be upset about that?

ATHENA
Sir--

The door to the unit across the hall swings open, the TENNANT (70s, female) stepping out.

TENNANT
You call that music?! These miscreants have been keeping the whole building up at all hours every single day. I’ve had enough!

BAND LEADER
Of course it was you who called the police on us.
(To Athena)
Officer, this lady is always up in our business. She has it out for us!

TENNANT
This building was a lovely place to live before you moved in. You and your little friends are ruining it.

Athena looks between them in annoyance.

ATHENA
Ma’am, were you the one who called 9-1-1?

TENNANT
So what if I did?

ATHENA
Dispatch said the caller had expressed extreme duress and alluded to witnessing criminal activity. This is a noise complaint.

TENNANT
(Sputtering angrily)
They’re performing satanic rituals!

BAND LEADER
We are not. We’re making music.

TENNANT
You can’t call that rubbish music--

ATHENA
(Fed up)
This is a waste of LAPD resources.
(To the Band Leader)
You and your friends need to keep it down. Music or not, I’m sure your building has rules about extreme noise levels.
(To the Tennant)
And ma’am, next time call by-law or just take it up with your landlord.

Athena walks away, leaving the Tennant and Band Leader staring ANGRILY at each other.

ATHENA (CONT’D)
(Sighing, annoyed)
It’s gonna be one of those days.

INT. FIREHOUSE, LOFT – DAY

Chill background theme music.

The 118 are sitting around the table while Buck comes over from the kitchen, carrying a large platter of food.

BUCK
Lunch is served.

Buck places the platter on the table, sitting down in his usual spot. Chimney now occupies the seat at the head of the table.

CHIMNEY
Thanks for cooking Buck.

BUCK
Anytime Cap.

Everyone digs in. Buck YAWNS.

HEN
You feeling ok Buckaroo?

BUCK
Ya, just didn’t get a lot of sleep last night.

RAVI
Your neighbours still keeping you up?

BUCK
At all hours.

CHIMNEY
How’s the apartment hunt going?

BUCK
(Swallowing a mouthful of food)
Still not great.

HEN
Have you at least decided on what you’re looking for?

BUCK
Kind of. I think I might like to find something a bit more permanent. Put down roots. Stop having to move so much.

RAVI
Worried you’re going to fuse to Eddie’s couch if you spend anymore time there?

Everyone LAUGHS.

BUCK
(Snarky)
Ha ha ha. I don’t just sleep on Eddie’s couch. I also kick his ass at video games.

EDDIE
(Jokingly defensive)
I just beat you the other night!

Eddie tosses a roll of bread at Buck which he catches before it can hit him. Buck sends Eddie a GRIN, taking a big BITE of the roll.

EDDIE (CONT’D)
(Sincere)
I don’t care if Buck’s at my house. I’ll take his home cooking anytime. God knows Chris prefers it to mine.

RAVI
I don’t see why you guys didn’t just move in together anyway. It’s not like you aren’t already always at each other’s places.

CHIMNEY
Maybe Eddie’s worried Buck’s crazy will start rubbing off if they spend literally every moment together.

HEN
I think it’s already a little late for him to be worried about that.

EDDIE
(Jokingly offended)
Hey!

CHIMNEY
Ravi’s right. You guys already spend all your time together. I can’t see why living together would pose much of a problem.

BUCK
C’mon guys, it’s a two-bedroom house. Where would I even sleep?

Hen, Chimney, and Ravi share an inconspicuous look.

RAVI
You could always get bunk beds.

EDDIE
We are not getting bunk beds.

BUCK
Ya, I’m not moving in. I’m sure Chris wouldn’t want me all in his space anyway.

EDDIE
Well, actually Chris probably wouldn’t mind if you were around more.

BUCK
(Surprised)
Really?

EDDIE
Ya. I mean, movies every night are right up his alley. But I totally get that you want your own space. And I mean, we can’t live together forever.

BUCK
Right.

An awkward silence comes over the table, everyone keeping their eyes on their plates, eating in silence. Chimney finally breaks it.

CHIMNEY
But seriously, who would get the top bunk?

INT. DISPATCH CENTER – DAY

Josh and Graham are still at Josh’s station. Josh is just wrapping up a call.

JOSH
Police should be on the scene any minute now.

CALLER (V.O.)
I see the lights. The police are here.

JOSH
Good--

The call DISCONNECTS as the Caller hangs up. Josh takes it in stride, turning to give Graham advice.

JOSH (CONT’D)
They do that all the time. You can’t take it personally. Help arrives and people just hang up on you.

GRAHAM
How do you know what happened then?

JOSH
You don’t...Well, you could check the records later but word of advice, don’t. You’re better off not knowing.

Josh gets out of his chair.

JOSH (CONT’D)
Questions? No? Good, now it’s your turn.

Graham looks at Josh in panic.

GRAHAM
M-my turn?

JOSH
See one, do one, teach one. You’ve seen lots already so now it’s your turn to do one.

Graham hesitantly trades chairs with Josh, putting on the headset.

JOSH (CONT’D)
Don’t worry, I’ll be here to make sure you don’t do anything atrocious.

The line RINGS. Graham nervously hesitates for a moment, before ANSWERING the call.

GRAHAM
9-1-1 what’s your emergency?

CALLER (V.O.)
(Extremely panicked)
They’re in the walls!

GRAHAM
Um, who is in the walls?

CALLER (V.O.)
Who is this?!

GRAHAM
Um, Sir, this is 9-1-1.

CALLER (V.O.)
Why are you calling me?!

GRAHAM
Um, you called me? Sir, do you need help?

CALLER (V.O.)
I-I-I can hear them in the walls! I need to get them out!

There is a loud THUMP on the other end of the line.

CALLER (V.O.)
Aaaaah! I broke my hand!

Josh CONNECTS his microphone to the call, muting Graham.

JOSH
Sir, what is your location?

CALLER (V.O)
Who-who is that?

JOSH
Sir, this is 9-1-1.

CALLER (V.O)
I don’t need the police!

JOSH
This is not the police, this is emergency dispatch. Sir, you seem to be having a mental health crisis. Can you tell me your location so I can send help to you?

CALLER (V.O)
I punched a wall and broke my hand!

JOSH
I hear you and I am sending someone who can help with that but to do so I need to know where you are. Are you at home?

CALLER (V.O)
(Wimpering)
Yes.

JOSH
What is your address?

CALLER (V.O)
(Groaning in pain)
315 Grove Avenue.

Josh MUTES his microphone and gestures from Graham to the computer screen.

JOSH
Type as he provides the info. Send a unit.

Graham eagerly starts typing, assigning the 236 to the call. Josh CONNECTS back to the call.

JOSH (CONT’D)
Paramedics are on their way. Can you tell me your name?

CALLER (V.O.)
Morgan.

Graham get’s Josh’s attention.

GRAHAM
That’s an apartment building.

Josh shoots Graham a THUMBS UP.

JOSH
Morgan, what apartment unit do you live in.

MORGAN
406.

JOSH
You’re doing great Morgan, I just have a couple more questions. Are you alone?

MORGAN (V.O)
I-I don’t know.

JOSH
You don’t know?

MORGAN (V.O)
(Whispering)
They’re in the walls. I-I can hear them trying to get out.

Josh seems to realize what’s going on.

JOSH
Morgan, did you take something?

MORGAN (V.O)
I didn’t steal anything! Don’t send the police!

JOSH
No Morgan, have you taken any drugs?

MORGAN (V.O)
No...

JOSH
What have you eaten today?

MORGAN (V.O)
Uh, I had a bagel and like three Redbulls.

JOSH
Three Redbulls?

MORGAN (V.O)
Ya, one when I woke up, one with the bagel, and then one to chase down the acid.

JOSH
Acid like LSD? Morgan, did you take LSD today?

MORGAN (V.O)
Uh, maybe?

JOSH
How much LSD did you take?

MORGAN (V.O)
Uh like one pill. Maybe.

Josh clicks a button on the keyboard to CONNECT to the 236’s radio.

JOSH
236 please be advised, victim is on LSD and seems to be hallucinating an intruder trapped in his walls.

CAPTAIN 236
Understood Dispatch. Arriving on scene now.

JOSH
Copy that 236.

Josh MUTES his microphone, turning to Graham.

GRAHAM
I’m sorry, I know I messed up.

JOSH
You’ll learn, it’ll just take time. And your first lesson is always ask their location first. Your top priority is sending help, and you can’t do that if you don’t know where to send them.

GRAHAM
Right.

JOSH
And after that, it’s your job to keep them calm until help arrives. Even if you have to talk about something ridiculous.

Josh CONNECTS back to Morgan.

JOSH (CONT’D)
Alright Morgan, can you talk me through what you’re hearing in the walls?

EXT. RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBOURHOOD – DAY

“Ain’t It Fun” by Paramore plays.

Youtubers SHAY and MITCH of SHAY’S ARMY are walking on the sidewalk. They’re recording themselves on a phone.

SHAY
What’s up Shay’s army!

MITCH
We’re back Shay’s army!

SHAY
That’s right! We are finally out of prison. Shout out to our lawyer Dan for getting us out on probation.

MITCH
Thanks Dan. You’re the best!

SHAY
So, you might all be wondering what we’re up to now that we’re back on the outside.

MITCH
Or maybe wondering what we got up to on the inside--

SHAY
Ooh, good idea, we’ll definitely do a story time video later.

MITCH
Nice.

SHAY
But today isn’t about us.

MITCH
No, today is about someone very special.

Shay and Mitch are approaching a street corner.

SHAY
You see, as part of our time on the inside, we talked a lot about making amends.

MITCH
Making amends!

SHAY
That’s right. So today, we’re here to visit our good friend Jesse.

MITCH
You might remember Jesse from some of our most viral videos.

SHAY
Yep, that Jesse. And today we’re going to see him for the first time since we were last in court.

Shay and Mitch round the corner.

MITCH
And there he is!

Jesse is roller blading down the sidewalk. He catches sight of Mitch and Shay. Jesse immediately panics, turning around and skating away.

Mitch and Shay give chase.

SHAY
Jesse! It’s us! Your bros!

JESSE
(Yelling over his shoulder)
You’re not my bros!

MITCH
C’mon man, we just want to talk!

There are obstacles on the sidewalk that Jesse has to dodge around; pylons, garbage bins, trees.

JESSE
You aren’t even supposed to be here! I have a restraining order!

Up the street, a VENDOR (short) is pushing a comically large cart of vegetables.

SHAY
We just want to say we’re sorry! We’re here to make amends!
(To the video)
Making amends is an important step to self actualization.

MITCH
Self actualization is rad.

Jesse turns to skate backwards, still YELLING at Shay and Mitch.

JESSE
I don’t want to talk to you! I’ve been better off the last few months than I ever was with you--

Jesse hits the cart, sending vegetables flying.

The music STOPS.

9-1-1 CALL SCREEN and TONE

DISPATCHER (V.O.)
9-1-1 what’s your emergency?

CALLER (MITCH V.O.)
Uh, this guy’s in a bit of a pickle...

EXT. RESIDENTIAL STREET – DAY

Chill background theme music.

The 118 arrive on scene, seeing the vegetables strewn about the street. As they get closer to the cart, they can make out Jesse stuck upside down. He’s punched through the bottom with his helmeted head sticking out the base of the cart and legs poking up out of the remaining produce. The Vendor comes up to meet Firefighters.

VENDOR
I tried lifting him out but he’s too heavy and there was no one else around to help.

A quick scan of the streets shows no one else around.

CHIMNEY
Alright, let’s get him out of there.

Buck and Eddie come over to Jesse.

BUCK
Sir, we’re going to get you out of there.

Jesse just GROANS.

Eddie taps one of the roller skates.

EDDIE (CONT’D)
Can you feel this?

Jesse makes a positive GRUNT in response, wiggling both his legs.

EDDIE (CONT’D)
No spinal injury then.

BUCK
Sir, we’re going to pull you out.

Buck and Eddie each grab a leg, lifting Jesse out of the bin and setting him back on the ground, holding him steady.

JESSE
I can’t believe they left me again.

EDDIE
Left you? Who left you?

Buck takes a closer look at Jesse.

BUCK
Hey, I know you!

Hen comes to the same realization.

HEN
The guy with the spinning motorcycle fire.

CHIMNEY
(Pointing at Jesse comically)
Microwave head!

Jesse GROANS again.

EDDIE
Wait, weren’t there three of you?

A RUSTLING from a hedge across the street draws their attention. Shay and Mitch can be seen crouching on the other side, their phone still pointed at Jesse, recording everything.

Noticing the Firefighters have spotted them, Shay and Mitch jump up.

MITCH
I can’t go back!

Shay and Mitch take off down the street. The 118 stays where they are.

CHIMNEY
The police will find them. Should be easy with everything on video.

JESSE
(Groaning)
I need to move.

9-1-1 CALL SCREEN and TONE.

DISPATCHER (V.O.)
9-1-1 what’s your emergency?

CALLER (TENNANT, V.O.)
I’m at 147 Westford Road and I think I smell smoke coming from Unit 704.

INT. BUCK’S APARTMENT BUILDING, HALLWAY - DAY

“Gives You Hell by the All-American Rejects plays.
Athena STOMPS down the hallway, heading towards the same units as the earlier scene. She stops at the Tennant’s unit, BANGING on the door.

ATHENA
LAPD, open up!

The door swings open to reveal the Tennant.

TENNANT
Oh, Officer, good you’re here. Those boys across the hall will not stop playing--

ATHENA
Ma’am, I am not here for them, I am here for you.

TENNANT
(Shocked)
Me? What could you want with me?

ATHENA
I informed you earlier today that it is illegal to make a false claim to 9-1-1.

TENNANT
(Worried)
Are you here to arrest me?

ATHENA
I’m here to give you a warning. Your final warning. Misuse of emergency resources is a crime. Noise complaints do not fall under our jurisdiction.

TENNANT
They won’t stop! I’ve asked them over and over again, but they won’t stop playing.

ATHENA
As I said earlier, take it up with your landlord. Don’t call 9-1-1 again.

INT. DISPATCH CENTER – EVENING

The ELEVATOR DOORS at the dispatch center open revealing MADDIE. She casually GREETS other DISPATCHERS while on her way to the BREAK ROOM. Graham is sitting at the lunch table, looking forlornly down at a cup of coffee.

MADDIE
Rough call?

Graham startles, spilling a bit of coffee as he notices Maddie. He jumps up, clumsily grabbing napkins to wipe up the spill.

GRAHAM
Sorry, sorry. I didn’t see you there.

Maddie grabs more napkins, coming over to help calmly.

MADDIE
No, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.

They finish cleaning the spill. Graham looks through the window to the dispatch floor.

GRAHAM
I should probably get back out there...

He keeps staring, not moving.

MADDIE
Are you ok?

GRAHAM
Oh ya, I’m good.
(Beat)
It’s my first day. I don’t think I’m very good at this.

Maddie gives him a sympathetic look, gesturing for them to sit back down. They do, looking at each other from across the lunch table.

MADDIE
No one is good on their first day. This job has a steep learning curve. But you’ll get the hang of it if you stick with it.

GRAHAM
I just, I feel like I’ve been kind of messing stuff up lately. There’s been other things that I haven’t been a great fit for. I really want to help people but I’m running out of options if this doesn’t work out.

MADDIE
Is that why you became a dispatcher?

GRAHAM
Well, I’ve always wanted to help people. And I had someone who helped me a lot suggest that I might be good at this. She said I was really good at paying attention to detail, and picking up on stuff that some people don’t, and that I have a lot of heart. But I’m not sure if that’s enough.

MADDIE
I used to think I had to be a master of all skills when I first started too. But I’ve been doing this for a long time now and I can tell you confidently that you already have the one thing you need for this job that we can’t teach you.

GRAHAM
What’s that?

MADDIE
You care. You want to be better, and you seem like you care about helping people. Don’t sell yourself short. Heart matters.

Graham perks up a little.

GRAHAM
Heart matters...Thanks, uh...?

MADDIE
Maddie.

Maddie holds her hand out to shake. Graham takes it.

GRAHAM
Graham.

Josh comes bustling into the break room.

JOSH
Sorry to keep you waiting--

MADDIE
Don’t worry, the kids are with the sitter, so I’ve got time. And I had Graham to keep me company.

Josh looks between Maddie and Graham while he pours himself a cup of coffee. Graham is looking more fortified.

JOSH
Oh good, you met. Graham’s done a great job today. He’s learning fast.

GRAHAM
I-I am?

JOSH
You are. No one’s perfect on their first call. Not even her.

Josh and Maddie share a fond look of nostalgia.

GRAHAM
Right. I guess I should get back out there then.

MADDIE
Good luck.

Graham walks off as Josh takes his seat.

JOSH
You would not believe the day I’ve had.

INT. COFFEE SHOP – EVENING

Eddie and Ravi are waiting in line for the 118’s coffee order.

RAVI
Do you think they’re going to remember Chim’s oat milk? I don’t want to lose my correct coffee order streak.

Before Eddie can respond, Ravi spots someone over Eddie’s shoulder.

RAVI (CONT’D)
Oh, hey Tommy.

Eddie’s face DROPS as he turns around to see TOMMY KINARD finishing up his order and walking over to them.

TOMMY
(Friendly)
Oh, hey guys. Diaz, you visiting from Texas?

EDDIE
(Awkwardly)
Uh, no, me and Chris moved back a couple months ago.

TOMMY
(Caught off guard)
You’re back in LA?

EDDIE
Yep.

TOMMY
Oh, well, I’m sure Evan is super happy about that.

EDDIE
Ya Buck was pretty happy about it.

RAVI
(Jokingly)
Not so great he got kicked out of the house though.

EDDIE
(Exasperated)
I did not kick Buck out--

TOMMY
You and Evan aren’t living together?

EDDIE
What? No. He offered to move out so me and Chris could have our space.

TOMMY
Right, cause space is something you two are intimately familiar with.

EDDIE
What’s that supposed to mean?

TOMMY
(Ignoring Eddie’s comment)
So, Buck’s got his own place.

RAVI
For now. He’s probably gonna move again cause his neighbours are a nightmare.

TOMMY
Oh well I know some places that have openings. I guess I should reach out--

EDDIE
No. Buck doesn’t want to hear from you.

TOMMY
He doesn’t?

EDDIE
No, you two broke up. You haven’t seen each other outside of work in almost a year.

RAVI
Well, there was that time while you were in Texas.

EDDIE
(Caught off guard)
What do you mean while I was in Texas?

Ravi looks GUILTY, realizing he said something he probably shouldn’t have.

TOMMY
(Smug)
Evan and I hung out a little while you were gone.

Eddie thinks about it for a moment, HORROR slowly coming over him.

EDDIE
You hung out with Buck in my house?

TOMMY
(Passive aggressive)
Well, it wasn’t your house then, was it.

BARISTA (Background)
Order for Eddie.

Ravi looks between Eddie and Tommy who are staring intently at each other.

RAVI
I’m just gonna go grab those.

Ravi walks over to the counter, leaving the men to posture.

EDDIE
So what, you guys hooked up and you just left him again? You can’t just jerk him around like that--

TOMMY
I wasn’t playing him. I had thought we might get back together but some things came to light, and I realized it was never going to work out.

EDDIE
(Skeptical)
Things? What things?

TOMMY
Look, Eddie, I have no interest in getting in the middle of this. I can take a hint and stay away. I’m grown up enough to admit when I’ve lost.

EDDIE
Lost?

Tommy gives Eddie a sympathetic look.

BARISTA (Background)
Order for Tommy.

Tommy starts backing away. He gives Eddie another smile of sympathy.

TOMMY
You take care of yourself Diaz. And take care of him.

Tommy grabs his coffee, walking out of the shop, Eddie watching him go in confusion. Ravi comes back, arms overflowing with trays of coffee.

RAVI
You good man?

Eddie snaps out of where his gaze lingered on the door. He gives Ravi a stern look, taking one of the trays of cups.

EDDIE
Not a word of this to Buck.

INT. DISPATCH CENTER, BREAK ROOM - NIGHT

Josh and Maddie are still at the table.

JOSH
Between the mix of random calls today and training these new recruits, I am going to need to skip the next three full moons.

MADDIE
I’m sure they’re not that bad.

JOSH
I mean, my Rookie isn’t awful. I’ve sent him to listen in on calls for now to try to get some more experience. You should come back so you can see for yourself.

Maddie looks down at the table.

JOSH (CONT’D)
You are coming back, right?

Maddie looks at Josh apologetically.

MADDIE
I don’t know...

JOSH
What do you mean you don’t know? Your maternity leave is almost up.

MADDIE
I’m just not sure if I’m ready. So much has happened since the lab. And Chimney’s Captain now so he’s pulling all these extra hours. And now we have two kids--

JOSH
So you’ll get a nanny. And Jee-Yun is starting kindergarten soon.

MADDIE
I guess...

JOSH
Maddie, what’s this really about?

Maddie looks out at the dispatch floor where everyone is taking calls. Graham can be seen with a headset at a desk, listening to the phone lines.

MADDIE
I don’t know if I can do it again.

JOSH
Do what?

MADDIE
Make the call. Send people into danger not knowing if they’ll make it home to their families.

JOSH
That’s always been a part of the job--

MADDIE
I know. And I know I’ve done it before. I guess I just don’t know if can put it everything away well enough to do my job--

She cuts herself off, both of them noticing Graham raising a HAND at his desk. Josh and Maddie share a panicked LOOK before abruptly getting up to head over to Graham’s desk.

Intense background theme music.

DISPATCH CALL FLOOR

A couple stations over, another DISPATCHER is taking a call from the TENNANT.

DISPATCHER
Ma’am you’ve already been warned twice today, making a false call to 9-1-1 is a crime.

TENNANT (V.O.)
This isn’t a false call! There really is a fire!

DISPATCHER
Ma’am I’m going to send police to your location if you don’t stop calling. And they won’t be taking care of noise issues.

Josh and Maddie arrive at Graham’s desk. Graham holds out a headset for Josh who puts it on.

GRAHAM
It’s the same woman from earlier. The one with all the false calls covering for noise complaints. But I don’t think she’s lying this time.

TENNANT (V.O.)
Good! Send the police. Send the whole fire brigade!

Another Dispatcher (LINDA BATES) across the floor raises their hand.

LINDA
There’s a structure fire at 147 Westford Road.

MADDIE
(Scared)
That’s Buck’s address.

Josh takes a second to reassure Maddie.

JOSH
The 118 are still on shift. Your brother isn’t home, and his team will keep him safe on the call.

Maddie lets out a breath of relief as Josh turns to address the whole floor.

JOSH
Alright everybody, monitor calls coming in from 147 Westford. This is going to be a team effort. Keep track of who made it out of the building and who’s stuck so we can alert fire personnel. Let’s get a list from the landlord of all tenants in the building and pull up the building plans.

MADDIE
I’m on it.

Maddie walks off to find the information.

JOSH
(To Graham)
Nice catch.
(To the Dispatcher)
I’ll take over that call.

Josh gestures for Graham to move out of the way, taking his chair at the desk. Graham keeps listening into his headset as Josh CONNECTS to the call.

JOSH
Ma’am the fire department are on their way. Is there a fire in your unit?

TENNANT (V.O.)
Yes! It’s taken over the entire exterior wall.

JOSH
You’re in unit 705, correct? On the south side of the building?

TENNANT (V.O.)
Yes.

Josh is rapidly typing on the computer, pulling up information from earlier calls. He connects his radio to the LAFD units.

JOSH
All units be advised, the south exterior wall is compromised. Entry can only be made through the north side.

Josh connects back to the Tennant.

JOSH (CONT’D)
Can you make it out to the hallway?

TENNANT
I can try.

INT. BUCK’S APARTMENT BUILDING, TENNANT’S UNIT - NIGHT

The Tennant is standing in the KITCHEN of her apartment. The far exterior wall is engulfed in flames, blocking the way to the windows. The Tennant makes her way to the front door, COUGHING as she unlocks it.

The door swings open, the Tennant stumbling out, turning towards the fire stair to see the rest of the HALLWAY in flames.

TENNANT
The hallway’s on fire! It’s blocking the way out!

JOSH (V.O.)
Can you make it to the other fire stair?

The Tennant looks down the other hallway just as a FLASH OVER rises over the ceiling around the other fire stair.

TENNANT
No! It’s on fire too.

DISPATCH CENTER

Josh pauses, not knowing what to do.

TENNANT (V.O.)
(Coughing)
I’m trapped! Oh God, am I gonna die?

JOSH
Just stay calm ma’am, we’re going to get you out of there.

Graham, who has been quietly listening to the surrounding calls, TAPS Josh on the shoulder.

GRAHAM
I-I have an idea. I was listening in to the other calls and I think Linda is talking to those Rock musicians. They live across the hall--

JOSH
(Catching on)
On the North side. Nice work Graham. Go inform Linda and have her get those guys to open their door.

GRAHAM
Copy that.

Graham heads over to Linda’s desk to relay the message. Josh CONNECTS back to the Tennant.

JOSH
Ma’am, we’ve found some help but unfortunately, I don’t think you’re going to like it.

APARTMENT BUILDING, HALLWAY

The Tennant’s coughing has become so vigorous she is doubled over.

TENNANT
What do you mean not going to like--

The door to the unit across the hall swings open, revealing the Band Leader.

TENNANT (CONT’D)
Oh you have got to be kidding me.

BAND LEADER
(Smug)
I heard you needed a rescue.

The Band Leader holds out a HAND. The Tennant eyes the fire at both ends of the hallway before SIGHING, taking the offered hand. They both go into the unit, COUGHING from the smoke and SLAMMING the door behind them.

EXT. BUCK’S APARTMENT BUILDING, NORTH SIDE PARKING LOT

The 118 arrive on the scene, getting out of the engine with SLAMMING doors.

CHIMNEY
(Into his radio)
Dispatch, 118 is on the scene.

JOSH (V.O.)
118 I have a multiple victims trapped in unit 704.

CHIMNEY
Copy that Dispatch.

Buck and Ravi are hooking up the hoses while Hen and Eddie get their medical supplies in order.

RAVI
(To Buck)
Dude you really have terrible luck with apartments.

CHIMNEY
Buck, Ravi, we’ve got people trapped inside. Unit 704.

BUCK
Hey, those are my neighbours.

EDDIE
Like, the neighbours? With the band?

BUCK
Yep.

CHIMNEY
Get a move on you two. We’re running out of time. Hen, Eddie, take over those hose lines.

Buck hands the hose to Eddie, running towards the building with Ravi behind him.

APARTMENT BUILDING, FIRE STAIR

Buck and Ravi are making their way up the fire stair when the building RUMBLES. They stop, gripping the railing to keep stable as a loud CRASH echoes through the building.

RAVI
What was that?

CHIMNEY (V.O.)
Buck, Ravi, sound off!

BUCK
(Into his radio)
We’re good Cap.

CHIMNEY (V.O.)
The south side of the building has been compromised. You two need to get out of there.

Buck takes a look at the floor marker in the stairwell. It says 6.

BUCK
What? No, we’re almost there.

CHIMNEY (V.O.)
Buck--

Buck and Ravi start climbing the stairs again.

BUCK
We can make it! I’m not leaving anyone behind.

RAVI
We’ve got this Cap.

They reach the door to floor 7. Buck turns back to Ravi.

BUCK
Ready?

RAVI
I’m right behind you.

Buck BUSTS open the fire door, spraying CO2 to douse the fire. Buck abruptly STOPS when he sees what’s left after the flames dissipate. The entire south side of the building has collapsed, leaving only a sliver of hallway to the first unit on the north side.

BUCK
(Into his radio)
Uh, Cap, we’ve run into a bit of a hiccup.

ROCK BAND’S UNIT, LIVING ROOM

Everyone is hunched in the middle of the room.

TENNANT
(Into the phone)
Where are the Firefighters?

JOSH (V.O.)
They’re still on their way. They’re just having a hard time getting to you. We’re planning a different approach. Do you have access to a window?

Everyone looks to the window in the corner of the living room. A CRACKING sounds as suddenly FIRE takes over the interior wall from the next unit, rapidly crawling across the floor and blocking the path to the window.

Everyone JUMPS up, COUGHING as they move out of the way.

BAND LEADER
The bathroom! Over here.

BAND MEMBER
The guitars!

The Band Member daringly grabs three guitars as the Band Leader pulls them away, directing everyone to cram into the BATHROOM. Now they’re away from the fire but also the window, leaving them without an escape route.

BAND LEADER
What the hell man?!

BAND MEMBER
I can’t leave my baby behind!

TENNANT
Shut it both of you!
(Into the phone)
The fire’s reached the living room. We’re in the bathroom now but there’s no way out!

DISPATCH CENTER

Maddie has finally returned carrying large pages of building plans.

MADDIE
Got these rushed over.

JOSH
Good. I’ve got five victims trapped in a bathroom on the seventh floor and no way for rescue to get to them.

Maddie pulls out the plans for the seventh floor.

JOSH (CONT’D)
I’ve got two firefighters in the west stairwell. They can reach the entrance to the first unit on the north side, but the victims are one more door down.

Maddie looks at the plans harder.

MADDIE
What if they went through the units?

JOSH
Through the units?

MADDIE
Yes. You said the fire has taken over most of the south and east sides of the building right?

JOSH
Right.

MADDIE
So, what if they go through unit 702 and break down the wall to 704? Then the firefighters can lead them back through 702 and out the window from there.

JOSH
That could work but how do we make sure they break down the right part of the wall to get to our victims?

MADDIE
They could call out or knock against the wall?

JOSH
And if that’s not loud enough?

Maddie thinks for a BEAT.

MADDIE
You said they were a rock band right?

ROCK BAND’S UNIT, BATHROOM

The Band are putting on their guitars and adjusting knobs on the instruments.

MADDIE (V.O.)
Make sure you turn the volume all the way up.

The Band Leader shoots the Tennant a GRIN.

BAND LEADER
Oh don’t worry. Loud is our specialty.
(To the Band)
One, two, three, four!

“Give Yous Hell” by the All-American Rejects plays as everyone starts STRUMMING their guitars. The Tennant hunches down, covering their ears at the loud noise.

APARTMENT BUILDING, FIRE STAIR

Loud sounds of FIRE and CRACKLING fill the air with the music quietly in the background.

Buck and Ravi hop from the FIRE STAIR to the door to Unit 702. Buck BUSTS down the door, making his way into the unit, Ravi following close behind.

They head over to the wall separating them from the Rock Band’s Unit. Putting their ears to the drywall, the MUSIC starts to get louder as they get closer to the bathroom on the other side.

RAVI
I think it’s here.

BUCK
This unit has way better sound proofing than mine.

Buck and Ravi pull out the axes and start HACKING at the wall.

ROCK BAND’S UNIT

The MUSIC gets louder as everyone plays their instruments.

A BANGING starts on the other side of the wall.

TENNANT
It’s working! We’re in here!

Suddenly an AXE busts through, tearing away the drywall until a large hole appears.

Everyone CHEERS.

Buck WAVES through.

BUCK
Let’s get you guys out of here.

PARKING LOT

Eddie is on the LADDER, reaching through the window of Unit 702 to help all of the Victims down. Ravi is helping from the other side of the window before he climbs out too. Buck is the last to come through, Eddie giving him a hand.

Back on the GROUND, Hen and Chimney come over to check on the Tennant and Band. Coming off the ladder, Eddie takes a second to check on Buck.

EDDIE
You ok?

Buck looks up at the burning building, seeing flames coming out of his bedroom window.

BUCK
I guess I really have to move now.

INT. DISPATCH CENTER – NIGHT

Chill background theme music.

Maddie, Josh, and Graham stand around the counter in the break room. Josh POPS the cork on a bottle of wine, pouring glasses for everyone.

MADDIE
(Holding up her glass)
To Graham. That was a great save.

GRAHAM
(Flustered)
Oh, uh, you too. I would’ve never thought of using their instruments like that.

JOSH
That’s what makes Maddie a great dispatcher, always thinking outside the box.

Everyone CLINKS glasses and sips.

Graham’s phone RINGS and he checks the screen.

GRAHAM
(Apologetic)
It’s my mom. She probably wants to know how my first day went.

Josh and Maddie wave him off as Graham exits the room, ANSWERING his phone.

MADDIE
(Watching Graham leave)
Hell of a first day.

JOSH
Nothing compared to yours though.

MADDIE
It might not have been a 7.1 earthquake, but he’s got good instincts. Just needs someone to guide him.

JOSH
It could be you.

MADDIE
Josh--

JOSH
Maddie, you are one of the best dispatchers this department has ever seen. I know you’ve had some tough calls lately – ok a lot of tough calls – but that doesn’t mean you should give up. You belong here.

MADDIE
I know...Being at home for so long, I got used to the calm – didn’t realize how much I missed the chaos. And I had thought that coming back would be too much for me to handle – that I wouldn’t be able to get past all of the bad calls that didn’t work out. But today...today I remembered what I like about this job.

JOSH
And that is?

MADDIE
Bringing people together. Helping them. Even when they’re being a pain there’s always a good side to everyone. I missed being part of the team.

JOSH
So, you’re going to come back?

MADDIE
I’m going to come back.

Maddie and Josh CHEERS to that.

INT. DIAZ RESIDENCE, KITCHEN – NIGHT

Chill background theme music.

Eddie and Buck quietly come in the door, Eddie heading straight for the fridge to grab two beers, passing one to Buck.

BUCK
Thanks for letting me crash here. Guess it’ll be easier to move now that I don’t have any stuff – well, besides the stuff I keep here. I’ll get on the apartment hunt in the morning.

Eddie takes a casual sip of his beer.

EDDIE
Or you could not.

Buck pauses in sipping his.

BUCK
(Confused)
What do you mean?

EDDIE
You could move in here.

BUCK
Eddie--

EDDIE
No, I’ve thought about this. You already spend all of your time here. And it really wasn’t fair of me to make you move out--

BUCK
I offered--

EDDIE
And I shouldn’t have let you.
(Beat)
Look, Buck, you’re more a part of mine and Chris’ life than most of our family. This wouldn’t be as big of a deal as it might seem like.

BUCK
Where would I even sleep? I’m not sleeping on the couch every night in my own home, there’s no way my back can take that. And you know we are not getting bunk beds.

EDDIE
(Shrugging)
We’ll figure it out. For now, you can take the other side of the bed.

BUCK
With you?

EDDIE
It’s nothing we haven’t done before. I spent months sleeping in your bed during the pandemic. And we have the same work schedule so it’s not like we’d be in each others way. We can sort out the whole sharing a bedroom thing later. Maybe convert the den. Or put an addition on the house.

BUCK
You’ve really thought about this.

EDDIE
I mean, ya. You’re my best friend. I want you around.

Buck gives Eddie a fond SMILE.

BUCK
I like being around.

EDDIE
Good. That’s settled then. You’re officially living here. And it works out great since you don’t have anything to move in.

BUCK
Guess we wouldn’t’ve needed a second couch anyway.

Eddie finishes his beer, setting the empty bottle on the counter.

EDDIE
Alright, you can have first shower. You still smell like a campfire.

BUCK
What you don’t want to sleep next to a warm cozy campfire?

EDDIE
Not on my clean sheets.

Buck CHUCKLES, downing the rest of his beer and setting the bottle next to Eddie’s.

BUCK
Alright then.

Buck walks out of the kitchen.

EDDIE
(Calling after Buck)
And don’t use all the hot water!

Eddie is left alone in the kitchen, staring at the two bottles sitting next to each other on the counter. He’s thinking about...

ROLL CREDITS

Chapter Text

9-1-1 DIAL TONE.

“As It Was” by Harry Styles plays through a montage of scenes up to the Title Sequence.

INT. DIAZ RESIDENCE, HALLWAY – DAY

EDDIE is standing outside CHRISTOPHER’S bedroom door. He KNOCKS.

EDDIE
Chris, you’ve got to get up. You’re going to be late for your first day of school.

There’s a GROAN through the door from Christopher.

Eddie rolls his eyes and walks through the house.

KITCHEN

BUCK is pouring cups of coffee at the counter. Eddie enters and Buck hands him a full mug.

BUCK
(Shaking his head)
Teenagers.

INT. WILSON RESIDENCE, KITCHEN – DAY

KAREN is finishing packing everyone’s lunches. HEN places some bread in the toaster. MARA comes running into the kitchen being playfully chased by DENNY.

HEN
Alright you two, we’ve got to get going if I’m going to have enough time to drop both of you off before work.

DENNY
That’s alright Mama, I can walk.

HEN
(Scoffing)
Walk? Since when do you walk to school?

KAREN
Your school is like, four miles away.

DENNY
Jared moved into the neighbourhood and he said we could walk together.

KAREN
Jared?

DENNY
Ya. He’s new at school.

HEN
Well, you aren’t walking to school with someone we haven’t met.

DENNY
Mama--

HEN
No. You know the rules. I get that you’re getting older and want to do more stuff on your own but it’s important to us that we know who you’re doing it with. Now grab your bag and get in the car.

DENNY
(Huffing in frustration)
Fine.

The toast POPS and Denny snags a piece before Karen can stop him, running out of the kitchen.

KAREN
Hey!

Mara shoots her Moms an exasperated look.

MARA
Teenagers.

EXT. KINDERGARTEN – DAY

CHIMNEY, MADDIE, and JEE-YUN walk up to the kindergarten drop off. Maddie bends down to her Daughter’s level, fixing the straps on her backpack.

MADDIE
Alright, you are all set for your first day of kindergarten.

JEE-YUN
No!

Jee-Yun STAMPS a foot, lighting up her shoe. Maddie and Chimney exchange a confused look.

CHIMNEY
No? I thought you were excited about getting to go to school like a big girl?

JEE-YUN
(Pouting)
Want to stay with you.

MADDIE
Jee, we talked about this. Mommy’s going back to work today.

CHIMNEY
It’s her first day too.

MADDIE
How about we both be big brave girls today?

JEE-YUN
(Hesitantly agreeing)
Ok.

A TEACHER (30s, female) comes over to the Family.

TEACHER
Hello, I’m Miss Tellman. I’m the kindergarten teacher.

Maddie rises out of her crouch.

MADDIE
Hi, this is Jee-Yun.

TEACHER
Hello Jee-Yun. How about we go inside, and I can introduce you to some of your new friends?

Jee-Yun looks at her Parents who NOD in reassurance.

JEE-YUN
Ok.

The Teacher holds out her hand and Jee-Yun takes it, WAVING at her parents as they walk away.

MADDIE
Have a great day! Mommy and Daddy love you!

Chimney subtly wipes TEARS from his eyes.

CHIMNEY
They grow up so fast.

EXT. HIGHSCHOOL, PARKING LOT – DAY

The Diaz household pulls into the drop off area. Eddie and Buck turn around from the front seats of the car to look at Christopher sitting in the back.

EDDIE
Do you want us to come in with you--

CHRISTOPHER
I’m good.

Chrisopher is already getting out of the car. He spares his dad a brief glance.

CHRISTOPHER (CONT’D)
See you later.

Christopher starts walking towards the school. Buck and Eddie watch him go, not at all surprised by the teenage nonchalance.

BUCK
(Sarcastic)
They grow up so fast.

The school bell RINGS as the song ENDS.

TITLE SEQUENCE

Chill background theme music.

INT. DISPATCH CENTER - DAY

The elevator doors open to admit Maddie. As she makes her way to her desk, she is GREETED by other DISPATCHERS saying how great it is that she’s back.

SUE BLEVINS approaches as Maddie gets to her desk.

SUE
Welcome back.

MADDIE
Thanks Sue, it’s good to be back.

Josh comes over with Graham trailing behind.

JOSH
(Joking then sincere)
Look who deigned to show their face again. Graham, you’re finally going to get to show off your skills to fresh eyes. Maddie is one of the best trainers we have.

MADDIE
Oh I’m sure you’ve both been doing just fine without me.

SUE
He’s just glad you’re back so he can have fresh ears to chat off.

MADDIE
(Jokingly gesturing between Josh and Graham)
Which one do you mean?

Josh SCOFFS as everyone LAUGHS.

JOSH
Excuse me, my conversation is a delight.
(Gesturing to Graham)
Well, I’ve got to get this one set up for another day of shadowing.

GRAHAM
It’s good to see you, Maddie.

MADDIE
Thanks Graham.

JOSH
Have a great first day. It’s good to have you back.

Josh and Graham walk off, leaving Sue with Maddie.

SUE
I just want you to know that we are all here to support you.

MADDIE
Thanks, I’ll be sure to let you know if I need anything.

SUE
I’m serious. This is a big step for you so whatever you need, just ask.

Sue walks off as Maddie sits down at her desk. Putting her headset on, Maddie takes in the screens for a moment before hitting a BUTTON to start her calls.

MADDIE
9-1-1 what’s your emergency?

INT. FIREHOUSE LOFT – DAY

Chimney and RAVI are playing video games on the couch.

CHIMNEY
Hey watch it!

RAVI
Stay in your own lane old man!

CHIMNEY
I’ll show you old!

Buck and Eddie come up the stairs.

BUCK
Breakfast?

CHIMNEY
(Distractedly calling to Buck)
Muffins on the counter, coffee in the pot.

Buck heads for the kitchen while Eddie sits on the couch.

Ravi uses Chimney’s distraction to his advantage, pulling a move as the game announces “WINNER! – RAV4 IS FIRST!”.

CHIMNEY(CONT’D)
You little cheat!

EDDIE
Oooh you gotta watch your back with this one Cap.

Ravi puts down his controller and gets up to join Buck in the kitchen.

RAVI
And to the winner goes the spoils.

Hen comes up the stairs, heading for the couches too.

HEN
Good morning, everyone. Chim, how’d the first drop off go?

CHIMNEY
Ah Jee didn’t want to leave us at first but she came around. What can I say, who would want to hang out with a bunch of antisocial pandemic babies when you have the coolest parents in the world.

HEN
Just wait until she’s a teenager, then the days of hanging out with mom and dad will be long behind her.

EDDIE
Don’t I know it.

HEN
You still looking for a way to connect with Chris now that you’re both back?

EDDIE
Actually I think I found something. The new school he’s going to has a film club and some of his friends are joining so he’s going to too. And I was actually in some student films back in my day so I went looking for my old camera and found it. I’m gonna show him after school.

HEN
Ok dad of the year, good for you.

EDDIE
Ya, it’s gonna be great.

Buck and Ravi come back with the plate of muffins, handing them out.

BUCK
(Already chewing)
He’s gonna love it.

Eddie is just about to take a bite of his when the ALARM sounds. Everyone jumps up, running for the stairs. Eddie looks forlornly at his muffin before shoving the whole thing in his mouth and following after everyone.

INT. HIGHSCHOOL CLASSROOM – DAY

Denny is sitting in his desk, quietly waiting for the first bell, when a group of TEENAGERS walks in. Leading the Group is JARED (15, bad boy type).

Jared spots Denny.

JARED
Look who it is. Little baby had to get his mommy to drive him to school?

Denny is not expecting the insult, momentarily stung.

DENNY
She offered to drive?

Jared sits down on the desk next to Denny, the other Teenagers gathering around him. It seems like the entire classroom is watching them. Denny becomes increasingly ANXIOUS, not liking the attention or wanting to upset Jared.

JARED
So what? You’re too good to walk with us?

DENNY
No! I-I wanted to but she wouldn’t let me.

JARED
Does your mom always tell you what you can do?

DENNY
N-no--

JARED
No? So you just wanted to ditch us?

DENNY
No, she just said that I couldn’t come today.

JARED
Oh, so you can come next time?

DENNY
Uh, ya.

JARED
Great. We’re gonna hang at the park after school. You should come with.

DENNY
(Rapidly trying to think of an excuse to stay in good graces)
Oh um, I can’t tonight.

JARED
You’re gonna ditch us again? Denny...
(Shaking his head in mock disappointment)
You better watch it or we’re going to think you don’t want to hang out with us.

Every Teenager in the classroom is hanging on Jared’s every word. He’s clearly established himself as the king of the group and Denny must bow down if he wants to maintain a good social standing.

DENNY
No, I do!

JARED
It doesn’t seem like it. Everyone else is gonna be there but hey, if you don’t want to be a part of the group--

DENNY
I’ll be there!

A satisfied SMILE takes over Jared’s face.

JARED
Good. I would hate to ruin a friendship so early.

INT. DISPATCH CENTER – DAY

Maddie is finishing up a CALL, Graham sitting next to her and listening in.

CALLER (V.O.)
Thank you so much for your help, Maddie. I don’t know how he’d never had strawberries before. Who tries strawberries for the first time at forty?

MADDIE
Someone who wants to be more adventurous maybe? I’m glad he’s ok.

CALLER (V.O.)
Me too. This was one hell of a first date. Thanks again.

Maddie DISCONNECTS the call, turning to Graham.

MADDIE
And that is how you talk someone through an unexpected allergic reaction.

GRAHAM
You are really good at that.

MADDIE
(Laughing)
Thanks. You know you should--

Maddie is interrupted by her cellphone RINGING. She checks the screen for the caller.

MADDIE
(To Graham)
Sorry, it’s my daughter’s school. I have to take this.

Graham waves her off and walks away. Maddie ANSWERS her phone.

MADDIE
(Into her phone)
Maddie Han.

TEACHER
Hello Mrs. Han. This is Miss Tellman calling from Western Elementary. I’m Jee-Yun’s teacher, we met this morning.

MADDIE
Yes, I remember.

TEACHER
I’m calling because Jee-Yun doesn’t seem to be feeling well, and the school thinks she should be sent home early. Are you able to come pick her up?

Maddie is already out of her seat and collecting her stuff. She waves at Sue, who starts walking over.

MADDIE
(Concerned but trying not to panic)
Yes, absolutely. I can be there in twenty minutes.

TEACHER
Alright, see you soon.

EXT. KINDERGARTEN PARKING LOT – DAY

Maddie is carrying Jee-Yun to the car. Jee-Yun is resting her head on Maddie’s shoulder sadly.

MADDIE
It’s ok sweetie. Mommy’s going to take you home and help you feel better.

As Maddie approaches her car, an ICE CREAM TRUCK drives by, playing a TUNE. Jee-Yun instantly perks up.

JEE-YUN
Ice cream?!

MADDIE
I’m sorry sweetie but you can’t have ice cream with a tummy ache.

JEE-YUN
I’m feeling better now.

MADDIE
(Skeptically)
You are?

JEE-YUN
Yes. No tummy ache.

Maddie quickly catches on.

MADDIE
Jee-Yun Buckley-Han, did you fake being sick to get out of school?

Jee-Yun instantly looks GUILTY, knowing she’s been caught.

MADDIE (CONT’D)
(Softly)
Jee, why don’t you want to go to school?

JEE-YUN
(Holding Maddie tighter)
Want to stay with Mommy.

MADDIE
Mommy has to go to work. And you can’t come with me, so you have to go to school.

JEE-YUN
No!

MADDIE
Jee--

Jee-Yun starts CRYING, quickly welling up into a full-blown TEMPER TANTRUM.

JEE-YUN
No school!

Maddie SIGHS, knowing she’s in for a long night.

INT. DIAZ RESIDENCE, CHRISTOPHER’S BEDROOM – EVENING

Christopher is playing video games in his bedroom when Eddie KNOCKS on the door.

EDDIE
Hey buddy, I’ve got something to show you.

CHRISTOPHER
(Into his headset)
Hang on guys. I’ll be back in a sec.

Christopher pauses his game and turns to Eddie.

CHRISTOPHER
Ya?

Eddie pulls a camera out from behind his back.

EDDIE
Ta da! It’s my old film camera.

CHRISTOPHER
(Unimpressed)
Cool, thanks.

Eddie makes another bid for his son’s attention.

EDDIE
It has 27 exposures with flash and a long zoom lens see.

Eddie comes over to show Christopher.

EDDIE (CONT’D)
Want to try it out?

CHRISTOPHER
Maybe later?

EDDIE
(Realizing this might be a bad time)
Uh, ya sure. Whatever you want.

Eddie disappointedly backs out of the room as Chris turns back to his game.

CHRISTOPHER
(Into his headset)
Ya I’m back.

HALLWAY

Buck is waiting for Eddie.

BUCK
How’d it go?

Eddie just SHAKES his head.

BUCK
(Optimistic)
He’s probably just wiped from his first day. I’m sure he’ll come around.

EDDIE
Right.

BUCK
It won’t be like this forever.

EDDIE
I just thought things might go back to normal when we moved back. But now...

BUCK
You’re realizing they won’t.

EDDIE
We’re back in the same house but sometimes I feel like he’s even farther away.

BUCK
He’s a teenager now. Wanting independence is normal.

EDDIE
He barely even talks to me.

BUCK
He’ll come around. You just have to give him some space.

EDDIE
I feel like we’ve had enough space.

Buck hears the undertone of what Eddie really meant.

BUCK
(Gently)
Eddie, Chris isn’t going to go back to Texas.

EDDIE
You don’t know that.
(Beat)
How am I supposed to be his parent when I don’t even know how to talk to him. I don’t know what rules I can set anymore without worrying that he’ll--

BUCK
Hey, that was totally different. He was grieving and you were dealing with a lot of stuff emotionally. You’re both in a better place now.

EDDIE
That doesn’t mean it’ll stay like this.

BUCK
No, but part of him growing up is that you guys can work out these problems together. You don’t need to bottle it up for his sake. If you want to find out where you stand and figure out some new ground rules then talk to him about it.

EDDIE
(Sighing, resigned)
You’re right. Ok I’ll work something out--

Buck’s phone RINGS, stopping their conversation. The screen shows that it’s HEN. Eddie waves Buck off to take the call.

BUCK
(Into his phone)
Hey Hen, what’s--

HEN (V.O.)
Denny didn’t come home from school.

Intense background theme music.

Buck is immediately on alert, the WORRY in Hen’s voice quickly overtaking him.

BUCK
Denny’s missing?

Eddie is instantly heading for the door, grabbing his and Buck’s jackets.

HEN (V.O.)
He was supposed to come home right after school on the bus but he never showed up. Mara was by herself when she got home, and she called Karen. We both rushed back here but he still hasn’t shown up and he’s not answering his phone.

BUCK
Ok, ok. Hen, it’s going to be ok. We’re going to find him. We’ll come help you look.

INT. WILSON RESIDENCE, LIVING ROOM - EVENING

Hen and Karen are pacing around their living room, Karen gathering their jackets.

HEN
(Into her phone)
Thank you. We’re thinking of starting at the school--

The front door quietly CLICKS open as Denny walks in, drawing Hen up short. He STOPS when he realizes he’s already been caught by his Moms.

HEN (CONT’D)
Hang on. He’s here.

BUCK (V.O.)
He’s back?

HEN
Ya, he just walked in the door. Sorry to worry you.

BUCK (V.O.)
Hey, it’s no problem. Anything you need, we’re here for you.

HEN
Thanks Buck. I’ve gotta go.

Hen HANGS UP the phone.

HEN (CONT’D)
Where have you been?

DENNY
Uh, school ran late?

KAREN
You know very well school did not run late. Would you like to try again before you lie to our faces?

Denny uncomfortably shrugs off his backpack, trying to stall but Hen and Karen remain firm.

DENNY
I was hanging out with some friends.

Hen and Karen exchange a knowing look.

KAREN
Which friends?

DENNY
Just some of the guys from school.

HEN
Like the new guys? Jared?

DENNY
He might’ve been there...

KAREN
So you directly disobeyed your mother and stayed after school without our permission?

DENNY
(With teenage frustration)
We were just hanging out, it’s not a big deal.

KAREN
Denny, we didn’t know where you were. We’ve been worried sick. You have to ask if you want to stay out, those are the rules.

DENNY
(Muttering)
Maybe I shouldn’t need your permission.

Hen and Karen hear him just fine.

HEN
We are your parents, you always need our permission.

DENNY
(Frustrated)
I’m not a baby! I don’t need you telling me what to do. I can make my own choices.

KAREN
And we understand that but that doesn’t mean you get to run around behind our backs with people we don’t know--

DENNY
What does it matter if you know him? He’s fine. You can’t control who I’m friends with.

HEN
We’re not trying to control you Denny, we’re just trying to keep you safe--

DENNY
I don’t need you to baby me! I’m old enough to decide if I want to stay late at school.

KAREN
And we can talk more about that when you show that you can make good decisions but what you did tonight is not that. We were so worried--

DENNY
Ugh, I don’t need to tell you everything I’m doing. I’m fifteen, I can take care of myself!

Denny STOMPS out of the room followed by the SLAM of a door a few seconds later.

The background music calms down.

Hen and Karen share confused looks.

HEN
Where the hell did that come from?

KAREN
No idea.

HEN
I don’t get it. He’s never talked like that to us before.

KAREN
Well, he is growing up. It’s natural for him to want more independence.

HEN
Ya but acting out like this? Running off without telling us where he’s going...Do you think something’s going on at school?

KAREN
I’m not sure. Maybe we should try giving him a little more freedom? If we show more trust in him then maybe he’ll show more trust in us and tell us if something’s going on.

HEN
How are we supposed to give him more freedom when he’s acting like this? Karen, you know what kids can get up to...

KAREN
I know. And I know that you are intimately familiar with the consequences of unsupervised teenagers but Hen, we cannot let that define how we parent.

HEN
How can I not? Karen I was practically his age when I got shot.

KAREN
I know.

HEN
How am I supposed to just let him go out there and trust that everything will be ok when it wasn’t for me?

KAREN
That’s the scariest part of parenting. Knowing that the world will make your child see the consequences of their actions but letting them go make mistakes anyway.

HEN
What happened to me was more than a mistake--

KAREN
I know. But Hen, the world is going to throw itself at him regardless of if we want it to or not. All we can do is help prepare him for when it does.

HEN
(Seeing Karen’s point)
And make sure that he’s ready to face it when the time is right.

KAREN
We can’t keep him locked up and bubble wrapped. No matter how much we may want to.

Hen and Karen HUG.

KAREN (CONT’D)
Let’s give him the night to cool off and then we’ll talk to him tomorrow. Set some ground rules and figure out where to go from there.

Hen pulls back from the HUG, looking into Karen’s eyes.

HEN
I love you. You’re a great mom.

KAREN
So are you. Denny will realize someday that he’s lucky to have people who care about him this much.

HEN
Let’s hope that day comes sooner rather than later.

EXT. KINDERGARTEN – DAY

Maddie and Jee-Yun are walking up to the Kindergarten entrance for another day of school. As they approach the doors, Maddie stops and gets down to Jee-Yun’s level.

MADDIE
Alright, take two. What did we talk about last night?

JEE-YUN
That I’m a big girl. Like Mommy and Sister Mara.

MADDIE
Right. And what do big girls do?

JEE-YUN
Go to school.

MADDIE
Ok.
(Giving Jee-Yun a big HUG)
You are going to have a great day today. Mommy is so proud of you for being such a brave girl.

JEE-YUN
I’m a brave girl.

MADDIE
That’s right.

Maddie stands up and sees Miss Tellman in the doorway.

MADDIE (CONT’D)
Ok, there’s your teacher. Have a great day Jee-Yun.

Jee-Yun starts walking into the school, WAVING back at Maddie.

JEE-YUN
Bye Mommy.

Jee-Yun gets to Miss Tellman, taking her hand.

MADDIE
Bye sweetie.
(To herself)
She’ll be fine.

INT. RESTAURANT – DAY

“Winning Ugly” by The Rolling Stones plays.

Two COMPETITORS (male) are sitting at a table on a stage at the back of the restaurant. At the side of the stage sit two JUDGES. The floor of tables in front is packed with a CROWD. An ANNOUNCER stands at a microphone at the front of the stage.

ANNOUNCER
(Into the microphone)
Alright Los Angeles! Who is ready to set a world record?

The Crowd CHEERS.

ANNOUNCER (CONT’D)
These two are here today to be the first to conquer the Breakfast Eating Challenge in under 30 minutes. The record is currently held by the one and only Devon the Devourer who completed the challenge in 32 minutes.

More CHEERS as the Announcer points to a photo of DEVON THE DEVOURER on the back wall. The Competitors are GRINNING at the table as two massive pates of breakfast foods are placed in front of them. They include a full spread of sausages, bacon, eggs, toast, and huge stacks of pancakes.

ANNOUNCER (CONT’D)
(Gesturing to the Judges)
We’ve got two official record keepers here to monitor the competition and crown our victor as the ultimate champion.
(Gesturing to himself)
All food is provided by yours truly and our friends at Breaky Time.
(Beat)
Now who’s ready to eat?!

Both Competitors CHEER, hyping up the Crowd.

ANNOUNCER (CONT’D)
Judges?

The Judges give them a THUMBS UP.

ANNOUNCER (CONT’D)
Ready, set, eat!

Both Competitors dig in, rapidly shoving food in their mouths. They’re both swallowing foods whole, not even bothering to chew. Syrup is dripping down their arms and smeared all over their faces.

TIME ELAPSES, and both competitors are close to finishing when Competitor 1 starts to slow down. He looks uncomfortable, clutching his stomach with a GROAN.

ANNOUNCER
(Mocking)
What’s the matter? Getting full?

Competitor 2 is SMILING while he keeps eating, seeing the win in sight. Competitor 1 doubles over, clutching his stomach harder.

ANNOUNCER
(Starting to get concerned)
Hey man, are you alright?

Competitor 1 keels over, falling out of his chair incoherently GROANING on the ground to the SHOCK of everyone in the room.

9-1-1 CALL SCREEN and TONE.

DISPATCHER
9-1-1 what’s your emergency?

CALLER (ANNOUNCER, V.O.)
I think he’s too stuffed!

RESTAURANT

Athena stands on the stage, holding Competitor 2 back from where Competitor 1 is still writhing on the ground.

COMPETITOR 2
This isn’t fair! I would’ve beaten the record if he hadn’t distracted me.

ATHENA
Sir, I’m going to need you to stand back so this man can receive medical attention.

COMPETITOR 2
(Yelling at the Judges)
You saw my time! I was going to beat the record!

The 118 come in the door, weaving their way up to the stage through the tables in the Crowd. The Announcer rushes up to Chimney who shares a NOD with Athena.

ANNOUNCER
He just started groaning and fell out of his chair. Won’t tell us what’s wrong, just keeps clutching his stomach.

CHIMNEY
What did he eat?

ANNOUNCER
What didn’t he eat.
(Gesturing to the table of food)
They’re trying to beat each other to the record.

The 118 survey the remaining food scraps on the table.

HEN
Damn, these guys can put it away better than Buck.

EDDIE
I don’t know. You should see our grocery bill.

BUCK
Hey, that’s mostly Chris nowadays.

HEN
I’ve only got one teenage boy and he practically clears out the fridge in a day. I can’t imagine a house with three of you.

Buck and Eddie feign mock offense at their implied teenage boy status.

Hen approaches Competitor 1.

HEN (CONT’D)
Sir, I’m going to palpate your stomach.

Hen gently prods Competitor 1’s stomach. She hits a point and he YELPS, flinching away.

HEN (CONT’D)
Hmm, it might be an obstruction.

She gently palpates the point again and Competitor 1 flinches back even more violently as he starts to VOMIT.

Eddie and Buck quickly jump in to help Hen roll Competitor 1 onto his side.

CHIMNEY
(To the Announcer)
Was there anything sharp in the food?

HEN
You think he perforated his bowel?

CHIMNEY
The odds are low but with the amount of pain he seems to be in...

Competitor 1 VOMITS again.

HEN
We need to get him to a hospital. Let’s get ready to move him.

As Hen, Eddie, and Buck work, focus is drawn to the table on the stage. Athena eyes Competitor 1’s plate. She looks over at Competitor 2’s to compare, noticing he still has sausages left. There are no sausages on Competitor 1’s plate.

ATHENA
Where’s his sausages?

COMPETITOR 2
(Hostile shrug)
He already ate them.

ATHENA
Did he swallow them whole?

Competitor 2 refuses to answer. Athena looks at the Announcer.

ATHENA (CONT’D)
Did you see him eat the sausages?

ANNOUNCER
Maybe? I don’t know they were eating everything so fast...

ATHENA
(Pointing at Competitor 2’s plate)
Can I take a look at that?

The Announcer motions Athena on. She puts on gloves then picks up a sausage, turning it over and looking at it carefully. Then she SNAPS it in half. A thin inconspicuous NEEDLE pokes out from the inside.

ATHENA
He’s definitely got a perforated bowel.
(To Competitor 2)
And I’m taking you into custody for intent to harm.

COMPETITOR 2
What? I didn’t put that there. Why would I sabotage my own food?

ATHENA
If you didn’t do it then who did?

A COMOTION in the Crowd draws everyone’s attention. A HOODED MAN had bumped into another PATRON in his attempt to leave the restaurant.

PATRON
Hey, watch it.

The Patron shoves the Hooded Man back, dislodging the hood and revealing his face.

ANNOUNCER
Devon the Devourer?

Devon looks up in horror, then BOLTS, shoving the Patron again and running for the door. Ravi gives chase from where he had been keeping the Crowd back from the stage, tackling Devon.

Athena and the Announcer come over, looking down at Devon on the floor, Ravi pinning him down.

ANOUNCER
Devon? Why would you sabotage the competition?

Devon struggles but Ravi holds him down.

DEVON
Because it’s my record! I was the first!

ATHENA
Well now your about to have different kind of record.

MOMENTS LATER, Athena is marching Devon toward the door in handcuffs while Hen and Eddie wheel Competitor 1 out on a gurney. Chimney pauses by Athena on his way out.

CHIMNEY
Come back with us for lunch?

Athena looks between Devon and the main table still full of food scraps.

ATHENA
Who’s cooking?

CHIMNEY
(Catching her meaning and joking back)
Buck.

ATHENA
Well alright then.

INT. FIREHOUSE LOFT – DAY

Chill background theme music.

Everyone is sitting around the table, LAUGHING and EATING while talking about their recent troubles with the kids.

HEN
I just don’t know where this behaviour is coming from. Denny’s always just wanted to hang out with his sister.

CHIMNEY
Well, he is growing up. Maybe he needs a bit more guy time.

HEN
Guy time?

CHIMNEY
Yes. You can’t tell me your house is overflowing with testosterone.

EDDIE
That’s probably not it. Chris is surrounded by testosterone, and he still barely comes out of his room.

BUCK
We’re lucky if he makes eye contact in the morning.

EDDIE
We’re lucky if he lets me stop the car before he gets out when we drop him off at school.

HEN
Tell me about it. Denny is out there doing God knows what with God knows who and he just expects me and Karen to be ok with it. And then when he’s home, he won’t leave his room either.

ATHENA
Oh I remember those days. Harry and May used to sit in their rooms all day. I could barely get them to come out for meals.

HEN
What did you do?

ATHENA
Let them be for the most part. At that age they value their alone time. If you give them some space, they eventually come around again once they feel confident in their independence.

HEN
So you’re saying it ends?

ATHENA
Sure. When they move out and realize that they can get free food at your house. Then you won’t be able to get rid of them.

RAVI
My parents love it when I come visit them for dinner.

ATHENA
(Like this proved her point)
Exactly.

Chimney’s phone PINGS with a text. He brings it out to check the screen.

CHIMNEY
Dammit. Maddie had to go pick up Jee from school again.

HEN
She’s sick again?

CHIMNEY
Nope. And she wasn’t sick yesterday either. She faked it to get out of school.

BUCK
Why?

CHIMNEY
No idea. She just keeps saying she wants to be home with us.

HEN
Separation anxiety?

CHIMNEY
I don’t know. She had the same problem at daycare, but I thought she had gotten over it.

ATHENA
School is a new environment.

CHIMNEY
I know. We’re trying to ease her into it but at some point, she’s going to have to get through a full day of school so Maddie can get through a full day of work. At least Robby likes his nanny share so one kid is still easy.

HEN
Cherish this time because it’s all uphill once the hormones kick in.

EDDIE
Tell me about it.

Everyone LAUGHS.

RAVI
I am so glad I don’t have to deal with this yet.

ATHENA
We’ll remember that when it’s your turn.

INT. HAN RESIDENCE, KITCHEN – EVENING

Chill background theme music.

Maddie and Buck are sitting at the kitchen table with cups of coffee.

MADDIE
So the guy sabotaged the competition to keep his record?

BUCK
Yep. And Ravi got right in on the action.

MADDIE
I miss being a part of the action. I haven’t been able to get a full day of work in yet.

BUCK
Ya I heard Jee’s still trying to get out of school.

MADDIE
I have no idea why. She’s always been a pretty social kid. I mean, she took to all of you just fine.

BUCK
Sure, but she was still a pandemic baby. Didn’t have much opportunity to meet kids her own age.

MADDIE
Until we sent her to daycare. Between my hospital visits after the kidnapping and Chimney taking over as Captain, we just couldn’t keep her home.

BUCK
But she was fine at daycare?

MADDIE
I thought so, but then she started acting out again and we decided to keep her home until she started school. Luckily I was on maternity leave with Robby so I had the time to spend with her since Chim was still working so many hours...

Maddie trails off as she sees the look on Buck’s face.

MADDIE (CONT’D)
What’s that look for?

BUCK
I think I might know what’s going on with Jee.

MADDIE
Really?

BUCK
You remember when I was a kid, and I used to fake sick to get mom and dad to come pick me up from school?

MADDIE
I forgot you did that. Remember that time they found out you faked it? Dad took away your gaming console for like a week but then you broke your leg falling out of that tree.

BUCK
(Cringing)
Ya that wasn’t my best moment. But anyway, Mom always thought I was doing it to get out of taking tests or something, but it was never for a test--

MADDIE
(Realizing Buck’s train of thought)
You did it to get their attention.

BUCK
Exactly.

MADDIE
You think Jee feels like we’re not giving her enough attention?

BUCK
I mean, you just said that Chimney hasn’t been home as much because he’s been working and now she has a little brother...

MADDIE
And we have to split our already limited time between two kids. And now I’m going back to work so she’s seeing us even less.

BUCK
I’m not saying she doesn’t like her brother, but she’s spent her entire life just the three of you and now there’s all these changes at once.

MADDIE
And she misses her one-on-one time with her parents.

Buck SHRUGS.

BUCK
This might be an easier problem to fix if you and Chim talk to Jee.

MADDIE
(Joking)
When did you get so good at parenting advice? Did you get another software update?

BUCK
Hey, Buck 4.0 is a mature adult who makes very mature decisions.

MADDIE
Hmm, and does that include not filling my kids up with sugar when you babysit?

BUCK
Oh if only you knew...

INT. WILSON RESIDENCE, LIVING ROOM – EVENING

Hen and Karen are sitting across from Denny in the living room. Denny knows this is going to be an uncomfortable conversation and that he is likely in trouble.

HEN
We know that growing up comes with a bit more freedom.

KAREN
But that doesn’t mean you can just do whatever you want without telling us.

HEN
You’re still a minor and you still have to respect the house rules.

DENNY
Fine.

KAREN
That being said, we talked, and we’re ok with you hanging out with your friends after school as long as you text us first and that they’re friends we’ve met.

DENNY
(Perking up)
Really?

KAREN
We’re going to trust your judgement, we just want to know where you are.

HEN
And most importantly, if you are ever in any situation that doesn’t feel safe, you can call us, and we will come pick you up.

KAREN
And we promise not to be mad. Even if you were doing something you weren’t supposed to.

HEN
Your safety is the most important thing.

DENNY
(Hopefully)
So I can hang out with my friends?

HEN
After school.

DENNY
What about tonight?

KAREN
Tonight? It’s already pretty late.

DENNY
But everyone’s hanging out at Jared’s tonight.

HEN
Denny it’s a little late for you to be going out and like we said, we need to meet Jared first--

DENNY
But everyone else will be there. If I don’t go I’ll look like a baby whose moms don’t let him do anything.

HEN
Ok well maybe these aren’t the type of people you should be hanging out with if that’s what they think of you. You’re going to have to miss this one.

DENNY
That’s not fair!

KAREN
I think it’s very fair considering how you’re speaking to us right now.

DENNY
You never let me do anything!

Denny STORMS to his bedroom, SLAMMING the door behind him.

DENNY’S BEDROOM

Denny is FUMING, frustratedly pacing around his room.

His phone lights up with a TEXT. It’s from Jared, saying “Dude where r u? Ppl already here.”

Denny looks between his phone and the closed door to his room. Then he looks at his bedroom window.

INT. DIAZ RESIDENCE, LIVING ROOM – EVENING

Eddie is sitting on the floor of the living room, fiddling with his camera and a tripod. Christopher comes out of his bedroom.

EDDIE
Hey, Chris.

Christopher pauses on his walk to the kitchen.

CHRISTOPHER
Hey. I’m just grabbing some water.

EDDIE
Would you maybe wanna take a break from your game? I’ve got the camera set up.

CHRISTOPHER
Uh...

EDDIE
Maybe we could try shooting something?

CHRISTOPHER
Fine.

Christopher goes to the tripod, looking at the camera. He goes to adjust one of the settings and Eddie makes an UNCERTAIN noise behind him.

CHRISTOPHER
What?

EDDIE
I’ve already set it up for the ideal lighting.

CHRISTOPHER
(Annoyed)
Ok.

Christopher pans the camera around, looking for something to shoot in the living room.

EDDIE
So you’re liking the film club at school?

CHRISTOPHER
I guess so.

EDDIE
And do you think you’re going to submit for any of the film competitions?

CHRISTOPHER
I don’t know. Maybe.

EDDIE
Well, if you do, I can show you some of my old student films...

Eddie trails off as Christopher goes to adjust the lens.

EDDIE (CONT’D)
Actually that--

Christopher drops his hands dramatically.

CHRISTOPHER
I don’t want to do this if you’re not going to let me do it myself.

EDDIE
Oh sorry, I was just trying to show you the right--

CHRISTOPHER
I can figure it out myself. I don’t need your help all the time.

EDDIE
Right, sorry. I just thought we could maybe do this together--

CHRISTOPHER
Well, I want to do it by myself. I don’t need you hovering like Grandpa.

Eddie is taken aback by the comparison to his father.

EDDIE
Oh.

CHRISTOPHER
(Sighing)
I’m just gonna go back to my game.

Christopher gets up and leaves.

EDDIE
(Awkwardly calling after him)
Ok, um ya. Let me know if you need anything.

EXT. RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBOURHOOD – NIGHT

“Kids” by MGMT plays.

Denny is walking up through the neighbourhood to JARED’S HOUSE. As he approaches, the MUSIC gets louder.

Denny nervously walks up the porch. He checks his phone before turning it completely OFF. He KNOCKS.

The door swings open, making the MUSIC even louder and revealing Jared. He has a drink in his hand.

JARED
Denny, hey man. Glad you could make it.

Jared daps up Denny, pulling him inside the house.

INT. JARED’S HOUSE

The house is very crowded and a total mess. There’s TEENAGERS everywhere and liquor bottles on every surface. Denny is clearly one of the youngest people there.

Denny is immediately uncomfortable, exacerbated by the CLICK of the door shutting behind him.

DENNY
I-I thought you said it was just gonna be a couple people?

JARED
This is a couple people.

Jared claps a hand on Denny’s shoulder and Denny JUMPS.

JARED (CONT’D)
C’mon, I wanna introduce you to some of my friends from my old school.

Jared leads Denny to the LIVING ROOM. There are some older BOYS (late teens) sitting on the couches.

JARED
Guys, this is Denny. We go to school together.

BOY 1
(Laughing)
You pick up a freshman?

JARED
Nah, he’s a sophomore.

The front door opens again, admitting a couple more older BOYS. They’re carrying cases of beer and hold them up for the party to see.

BOY 2
The booze has arrived!

Everyone CHEERS.

Jared claps Denny on the shoulder again.

JARED
Now it’s a party.

SOME TIME LATER, the party is in full swing. Everyone is wasted except for Denny who sits on the couch nervously clutching a still-full solo cup.

Jared comes drunkenly swaying into the room.

JARED
Denny! My Man.

Jared grabs a bottle off the table.

JARED (CONT’D)
You look like you need a top-up.

Jared goes to pour into Denny’s cup but finds it still full.

JARED (CONT’D)
Aw c’mon man. You need to catch up.

DENNY
I-I’m ok.

JARED
C’mon man this is good stuff.
(Whispering conspiratorially)
I got it from my dad’s stash.

DENNY
I-I don’t really--

JARED
Dude. Don’t be a downer, it’s a party.
(Whispering again)
You don’t want to look like a little kid in front of these guys.

Denny nervously looks around at the older Boys who are surreptitiously watching their conversation.

DENNY
I-I need to use the bathroom.

Denny jumps up, making his way through the house before Jared can protest.

Finding the BATHROOM which is thankfully empty, Denny ducks inside, locking the door behind him.

Jared starts BANGING on the door from the other side.

JARED
C’mon man, we’re just playing around.

BOY 2
Is the little baby getting nervous?

BOY 1
Do you need to call your mommy?

Denny pulls his phone out, turning it back ON. The screen immediately floods with missed calls and texts from his family.

The Boys are still taunting him on the other side of the door. Denny makes his choice, finding Hen’s contact and hitting CALL. It picks up on the first RING.

DENNY
(Into his phone)
Mama?

HEN (V.O.)
Denny? Where are you we’ve been worried sick--

DENNY
Remember that talk we had earlier...

HEN (V.O.)
Yes?

DENNY
You have to promise not to be mad.

HEN (V.O.)
(Taking a breath)
I promise I won’t be mad.

DENNY
I-I need you to come pick me up.

HEN (V.O.)
Alright. Tell me where you are.

EXT. JARED’S HOUSE – NIGHT

Intense background theme music.

Hen pulls up in front of the house, quickly parking and getting out of her car.

Denny comes out of the bushes.

HEN
(Worried)
Denny?

DENNY
C’mon, we gotta go.

HEN
What happened?

DENNY
I went out the bathroom window. C’mon get in the car, we’ve gotta get out of here before they notice--

The front door opens. Jared comes stumbling out followed by the other Boys.

JARED
Well look who it is. The little baby called his mommy.

HEN
Excuse me--

DENNY
Mom don’t.

HEN
He can’t talk to you like that.

DENNY
It’s fine, let’s just go.

JARED
No one’s going to talk to you at school tomorrow. They don’t want to hang out with little baby losers--

HEN
Hey--

DENNY
Mom!

Jared starts stumbling down the lawn to Denny.

JARED
You think you’re better than me huh?

DENNY
What? No--

Jared can barely walk.

JARED
(Slurring his words)
You don’t want to hang out with us, then you show up here and act like you’re too good for us, and then you sneak out--

Jared COLLAPSES.

DENNY
Jared?!

HEN
Move!

Hen goes over to Jared quickly, checking his breathe.

HEN (CONT’D)
He’s not breathing. Denny call 9-1-1.

Hen starts doing chest compressions.

BOY 1
What? No. If his parents find out they’ll freak.

HEN
If he doesn’t get help, he could die. Denny call now, put it on speaker.

Denny fumbles for his phone, dialing with shaking hands and holding the phone next to his Mom. The line RINGS then CONNECTS.

DISPATCHER (V.O.)
9-1-1 what’s your emergency?

HEN
This is off-duty paramedic Henrietta Wilson. I’m at 241 Northridge Crescent. I need an RA unit for a case of severe alcohol poisoning. 15-year-old male, unresponsive and not breathing.
(To the Boys)
Did he take anything else?

The Boys look at each other, not wanting to get in trouble.

HEN (CONT’D)
You need to tell me or he’s going to die. Did he take anything?

BOY 1
No. H-He just drank a lot.

Hen keeps doing compressions.

HEN (CONT’D)
C’mon Jared, breath for me.

MOMENTS LATER, SIRENS announce the incoming ambulance. The Teenagers all frantically look at the street before BOLTING, leaving Denny, Hen, and Jared alone on the lawn, Hen still doing compressions.

The ambulance pulls up, the PARAMEDICS getting out and approaching.

HEN
15-year-old male, severe alcohol poisoning. He’s been down for four minutes.

PARAMEDIC 1
Understood, we’ll take it from here.

Hen backs off as the Paramedics take over compressions and establish an airway. Hen immediately goes over to Denny who is silently CRYING as he watches.

DENNY
I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t have snuck out. And I shouldn’t have stayed when I knew it wasn’t safe. I just wanted him to like me--

Hen pulls Denny in for a big HUG, relief coming over her.

HEN
We’ll talk about that later. For now, thank you for calling me.

DENNY
(In tears)
I’m really glad you were here. Thanks for coming.

HEN
Always.

INT. DIAZ RESIDENCE, CHRISTOPHER’S BEDROOM – NIGHT

Buck lightly KNOCKS on Christopher’s door, peaking inside. Christopher is lying in bed, staring at his phone.

BUCK
Hey Chris, can we talk?

Seeing Buck, Christopher puts his phone down and sits up in bed. Buck walks into the room, sitting on the edge of the bed.

BUCK (CONT’D)
I heard you had a bit of a fight with your dad.

CHRISTOPHER
(Sighing)
I didn’t mean to hurt his feelings.

BUCK
I know.

CHRISTOPHER
I just want to do some stuff by myself.

BUCK
And that makes sense. You’re growing up. It’s natural to want more independence. I think your dad was just looking forward to having something for you two to do together.

CHRISTOPHER
It’s not that I don’t want to spend time with him. I just didn’t want it to be this.

BUCK
Would you like to spend more time together if it was something else?

CHRISTOPHER
Ya, I do want to spend more time with my dad. I kind of missed him when I was away.

BUCK
He missed you too. So did I.

CHRISTOPHER
Maybe we could find something for all of us to do together?

BUCK
I might have an idea...

“The Kids Are Growing Up” by Jill Andrews plays through a montage of scenes up to the Credits.

EXT. KINDERGARTEN – DAY

Chimney and Maddie are walking up to the school pick-up.

HEN (V.O.)
As parents, it’s our job to teach our kids how to fly so that when they’re ready, they can spread their wings on their own.

They spot Jee-Yun playing with a group of GIRLS on the PLAYGROUND.

CHIMNEY
(Calling out to his Daughter)
Jee-Yun.

Seeing her Parents, Jee-Yun WAVES goodbye to her friends and runs over to them. They immediately envelop her in a HUG, Chimney picking her up.

MADDIE
Look at you go big girl! You finished a whole day!

JEE-YUN
You said we can get ice cream if I go to school the whole day. And no Baby Brother.

CHIMNEY
That’s right, Baby Brother is with the nanny for tonight, so you get Mommy and Daddy all to yourself.

JEE-YUN
(Excited)
The whole night just me?

MADDIE
Yep, just you. How about we go get that ice cream?

JEE-YUN
Yay!

They start walking to their car.

CHIMNEY
So, what did you do at school today?

JEE-YUN
We did crafts and played outside...

Jee-Yun continues to RAMBLE about her day as the Family happily moves along.

HEN (V.O.)
But knowing they’re ready is only half the battle. Parents still have to overcome our own doubt and uncertainty without impairing our children’s confidence.

INT. DIAZ RESIDENCE, LIVING ROOM – DAY

Eddie comes in the door carrying some shopping to find Christopher and Buck sitting around the coffee table.

EDDIE
You would not believe the deal I got on these shirts--

Eddie notices the board game on the coffee table.

EDDIE (CONT’D)
What are you guys up to?

BUCK
Playing a bit of Trivial Pursuit.

EDDIE
Since when do you play trivia?

BUCK
(Nonchalant)
It’s kind of a new thing.

CHRISTOPHER
Want to join us?

Eddie looks between Buck and his Son, recognizing the bid for connection as it is. He puts his shopping down, coming to sit next to Christopher.

EDDIE
You know I was kind of a trivia champion in high school?

CHRISTOPHER
(Feigning ignorance)
I don’t think you mentioned that...I’m still going to beat you.

Christopher rolls the dice and Eddie draws a card while Buck watches them SMILING.

HEN (V.O.)
When it’s time for kids to venture out of the nest, sometimes it takes a gentle nudge or your shadow following behind them, and sometimes it takes a guiding call to lead them back home.

INT. WILSON RESIDENCE, LIVING ROOM – DAY

Karen, Hen, and Mara are sitting on the couch watching a movie when Denny walks in.

HEN
Hey, I thought you were calling your friends in your room?

DENNY
I told them I had other plans.

KAREN
What other plans?

DENNY
(Gesturing to the tv)
We’re watching a movie.

HEN
You’re hanging out with us?

Denny squeezes into a seat on the couch.

DENNY
Ya. No where else I’d rather be.

Hen and Karen share a happy look as the Family turns to the tv.

HEN (V.O.)
But the best feeling will always be when you get to watch them soar, knowing they’re ready to fly on their own. And knowing that you’ll always be there to catch them if they fall.

ROLL CREDITS

Chapter Text

9-1-1 DIAL TONE.

EXT. COUNTRY ROAD – NIGHT

“Ghost Towns Along the Highway” by John Mellencamp plays through the car radio.

VICTOR ROGERS (30s, male) is driving home from a long day at work. He’s in a beaten-up pickup truck with tools clattering around in the back. There’s a hunting rifle sitting on the passenger seat.

Trees of the thickly forested road pass by in the dark. Victor squints into the black night, barely able to see the road in front of him when--

A DEER jumps out of the trees. Victor SLAMS on the brakes, stopping the car just in time to avoid the Deer.

Victor pauses, slowing down to catch his breath as the adrenaline dissipates. The Deer runs off into the woods.

VICTOR
(Disgruntled)
Damn deer.

Victor hits the road again.

As he rounds another corner, he sees an orange glow in the distance. Smoke rises above the tree line. Realizing what it is, Victor speeds up in a panic.

Slowly, a lone driveway comes into view revealing Victor’s house in flames.

Victor pulls into the driveway, jumping out of the truck before it’s barely stopped. He runs towards the house.

VICTOR
Julia!

TITLE SEQUENCE

Chill background theme music.

INT. DISPATCH CENTER – NIGHT

JOSH is leading GRAHAM through the Dispatch Floor. They approach MADDIE sitting at her own desk.

MADDIE
Hey Graham, big day. You ready?

GRAHAM
Ready for what?

Josh points to the empty desk next to Maddie, pulling out the chair.

JOSH
This is your desk today.

GRAHAM
I’m not shadowing Maddie?

JOSH
Nope. Training wheels are coming off.

MADDIE
Congratulations graduate. Tonight, you fly solo.

Graham takes in his accomplishment as he sits down.

JOSH
You can always raise your hand and flag someone over if you need any help but other than that, you’ve got this. Good luck.

Josh walks off and Maddie shoots Graham a THUMBS UP before turning back to her screen.

Graham takes in his set-up, putting on his headset and looking at his Dispatcher number. He takes a deep steadying breath before CONNECTING to a call.

GRAHAM
9-1-1 what’s your emergency?

CALLER (Female, V.O.)
My house is on fire!

The background music intensifies.

GRAHAM
What’s your address?

CALLER (V.O.)
129 Canyon Road.

Graham starts typing, dispatching the 118 to respond to the call.

GRAHAM
What’s your name?

CALLER (V.O.)
Julia Rogers.

GRAHAM
Alright Julia, I’m Graham, I’m here to help. Is there anyone else in the house?

CALLER (JULIA, V.O.)
No. My husband’s at work.

GRAHAM
Are you still inside?

JULIA (V.O.)
Yes!

GRAHAM
Can you get to an exit?

JULIA (V.O.)
No. I’m trapped in the bedroom. The fire’s on the other side of the door.

GRAHAM
What floor is the bedroom on?

JULIA (V.O.)
The third floor.

GRAHAM
Is there a window?

JULIA (V.O.)
Yes, but I’m too high up.

GRAHAM
Do you have an escape ladder in the room?

JULIA (V.O.)
(Coughing)
No.

GRAHAM
Ok Julia, I need you to stay as low to the ground as you can. The firefighters are on their way but we’re going to try to buy you some time until they get there. I need you to cover any cracks where smoke can get into the room, especially under the door. Maybe use the blankets on the bed.

JULIA (V.O.)
Ok.

SHUFFLING can be heard in the background of the call.

GRAHAM
And if you can pour water on them, that’ll help too.

JULIA (V.O.)
There’s some by the bed. My husband gets thirsty at night.

GRAHAM
That’ll work. Make sure the blankets are creating as tight of a seal as you can. And then I want you to get as far from the door as possible and stay low, ok?

JULIA (V.O.)
Ok.

At the desk next to Graham, Maddie is also taking a CALL.

MADDIE
Your wife is still in the house?

CALLER (VICTOR, V.O.)
Yes. Julia. I need to go get her.

MADDIE
Sir, you need to stay outside. The firefighters will take care of your wife. What’s your address?

VICTOR (V.O.)
129 Canyon Road.

Maddie goes to type in the address and the system FLAGS the call reading “Call from location already in progress”. Maddie looks at the Dispatcher attached and sees Graham’s name.

Maddie MUTES her microphone, waving at Graham who MUTES his call in turn.

MADDIE
Did you dispatch the 118 to 129 Canyon Road?

GRAHAM
Ya. I’ve got a woman stuck in a house fire.

MADDIE
Julia?

GRAHAM
Ya, how did you--

MADDIE
I’ve got her husband on the line. He’s outside.

Maddie CONNECTS back to her call.

MADDIE (CONT’D)
Sir, fire and rescue are two minutes out.

VICTOR (V.O.)
My wife! Please you need to help my wife.

MADDIE
We’ve got your wife on another line and we’re working to keep her safe.

Maddie CONNECTS to a Police line.

MADDIE (CONT’D)
All units we have a house fire in progress at 129 Canyon Road. One female victim trapped inside with her husband outside of the house. We might be needing some damage control.

ATHENA (V.O.)
Show 727-L-30 responding.

Graham CONNECTS back to his call.

GRAHAM
How are we doing Julia?

JULIA (V.O.)
The smoke stopped coming in but it’s getting really hot in here.

There’s a RUMBLING in the background of the call.

GRAHAM
Ok Julia, the firefighters are almost there. Can you tell me a bit more about the layout of the house so they can find you faster?

JULIA (V.O.)
Um, I’m in the bedroom on the third floor. It’s up the stairs and down the hall on the right.

GRAHAM
Ok, and do you know where in the house the fire might have started.

JULIA (V.O.)
Uh...no I’m not sure.

GRAHAM
That’s ok. Were you in the bedroom when the fire started.

JULIA (V.O.)
Yes. I-I was sleeping and got woken up by the fire alarm.

GRAHAM
And the fire had already reached the hallway to your bedroom by the time the alarm went off?

JULIA (V.O.)
I-I think so. It’s getting hotter! I think the flames might start coming through the door.

GRAHAM
Just stay calm Julia, the firefighters are arriving now.

EXT. RESIDENCE IN THE WOODS – NIGHT

The 118 pulls into the driveway of the secluded house with SIRENS. SLAMMING doors accompany their exit of the engine as everyone starts gathering their gear.

Victor comes running up to the Firefighters. He gets to CHIMNEY first.

VICTOR
My wife is still inside! Please, you have to help her!

CHIMNEY
Sir, we are going to do everything we can to help your wife, but you need to step back and let us do our jobs.

Victor grabs Chimney’s arm.

VICTOR
(In hysterics)
Please, you have to help her!

SIRENS announce the arrival of ATHENA in a police cruiser. She gets out, approaching Chimney and Victor.

ATHENA
Sir, you need to step back so they can do their jobs.

VICTOR
Please, my wife--

ATHENA
I understand, they’re going to go get your wife. How about you come over here with me?

Athena guides Victor away.

Chimney turns to his team.

CHIMNEY
Dispatch said Julia is trapped in a bedroom on the third floor. Buck, Ravi, head inside and get her out but be careful, this building’s been burning for a while already so consider everything unstable. Hen, Eddie, get on those hoses.

BUCK
You got it Cap.

BUCK and RAVI head for the house while HEN and EDDIE start pulling the hoses out.

DISPATCH CENTER

Graham is still on the phone with Julia, Maddie listening in since she’s finished her call with Victor.

GRAHAM
Julia the firefighters are coming into the house now. How are you doing?

JULIA
(Coughing)
I-I don’t feel too good.

GRAHAM
You just need to hang on a little longer. They’re coming to get you now.

JULIA
(Coughing harder)
Please hurry.

GRAHAM (CONT’D)
They’re almost there, just keep breathing. Stay with me Julia.

There’s a THUD but no response.

GRAHAM (CONT’D)
Julia?

The COUGHING has stopped.

GRAHAM (CONT’D)
Julia?

There’s the BEEP, BEEP, BEEP of the call ENDING.

GRAHAM (CONT’D)
Julia?!

Graham and Maddie are left staring at the screen in SILENCE.

INT. RESIDENCE, STAIRS

Buck and Ravi are climbing the stairs to the third floor. The lower levels are a raging inferno and they’re struggling to see through the smoke.

They’re met with more fire as they reach the top of the stairs. Buck pauses, pulling out a fire extinguisher to put out the flames. Once extinguished, Buck waves Ravi ahead.

BUCK
Go get her!

Ravi goes down the hall, reaching the bedroom door. He feels it, finding it hot to the touch.

RAVI
I think the fire reached the bedroom!

Ravi stands back from the door and BUSTS it down. The fire is raging on the other side.

The house GROANS

BUCK
Hurry up, we’ve gotta go!

Ravi uses a fire extinguisher to put out some of the flames. He can just make out a human-shaped bundle on the bed.

RAVI
Julia!

Ravi sprays the fire down more. The house GROANS again.

RAVI
Julia can you hear me?!

BUCK
Ravi we’ve gotta go!

Ravi takes a step forward, reaching out for Julia lying in the bed when the ground SHAKES. There’s a loud CRACK as the floor to the bedroom crumbles.

Buck reaches out just in time, grabbing Ravi by his turnouts and pulling him back. They both watch as the bed falls into the floor, Julia being swallowed by the flames.

“Give Up the Ghost” by Radiohead plays.

Ravi looks at the hole in the floor in HORROR.

RAVI
Julia!

EXT. RESIDENCE, DRIVEWAY

Everything is moving in slow motion.

Buck and Ravi come out of the house, pulling off their helmets with solemn faces. The Team watches them, noting the lack of a third person. Hen, Eddie, and Chimney share grieved looks.

Victor is standing by the police cruiser with Athena. They turn to see Buck and Ravi coming out of the house. Victor is instantly DISTRAUGHT. He moves to run for the house, YELLING his Wife’s name. Athena steps in to hold him back. Before she can get both arms around him, Victor swings an elbow back, connecting with Athena and trying to run again while she grabs for him.

Hen sees Athena struggling and goes over. The two Women hold Victor down as he tries to fight them off, preventing him from running into the fire.

Buck and Ravi reach Eddie and Chimney.

RAVI
I-I saw her. She was right there.

BUCK
We didn’t have enough time before the floor caved in.

Eddie claps a hand on Buck’s shoulder. Chimney puts his on Ravi’s.

CHIMNEY
You did the best you could with what you had.

RAVI
(Looking lost)
I-I think she was unconscious from the smoke. I tried to reach her--

Ravi breaks off, COUGHING.

CHIMNEY
(Nodding reassuringly)
Let’s get you two checked out.

Chimney starts leading them toward the ambulance.

RAVI
I tried to reach her--

CHIMNEY
I know.

Over by Athena, Victor has dropped to his knees in the dirt, SOBBING.

DISPATCH CENTER

Graham and Maddie are still intently listening to the radio.

GRAHAM
Engine 118 what’s happening over there?

There’s a long PAUSE before the radio crackles to life.

HEN (V.O.)
The victim in the house didn’t make it.

Maddie closes her eyes, shedding a TEAR. Graham stares at the screen in shock.

GRAHAM
She-she’s dead?

HEN (V.O.)
The house collapsed before we could reach her. We’re with the husband now.

Graham is SILENT, not knowing what else to say. Victor can be heard CRYING in the background of the call. Maddie steps in.

MADDIE
Thanks for the update 118. Keep us posted if you need anything else.

HEN (V.O.)
Will do Dispatch.

Maddie DISCONNECTS, ending the call. Maddie turns to a still-in-shock Graham.

MADDIE
Come on, let’s go take a break.

Graham snaps out of it a little.

GRAHAM
B-But I’ve only taken one call?

MADDIE
I know. Let’s take a break anyway.

Maddie puts a hand on Graham’s back, guiding him away from the desk. She looks across the floor at Josh who is looking at the Pair with hope. Maddie shakes her head.

The music STOPS.

INT. FIREHOUSE, LOCKER ROOM – NIGHT

Ravi is sitting on a bench in the locker room after his shower, looking like he’d been crying.

Buck walks in, toweling off his hair after having gotten dressed following his own shower. He spots Ravi on the bench, quickly wiping away a TEAR before Buck can really see him crying. Sensing his friend’s distress, Buck sits down next to him.

BUCK
That was a rough call.

RAVI
(Sniffling)
Ya no kidding.

BUCK
Sometimes it helps to talk about it...

RAVI
(Wiping the last of his tears)
I’m good.

Ravi goes to get up, but Buck grabs his arm, keeping him on the bench.

BUCK
Hey, you can’t bottle it up. Especially after a bad call. If you don’t want to talk to me that’s fine, but you need to talk to someone about it. Hen, or Chimney, or a department therapist. But I’d like to think we’re friends so if you want to talk to me then I’m here for you.

Ravi hesitates, taking a BREATH before continuing.

RAVI
She was right there.

BUCK
(Sighing)
I know.

RAVI
I just couldn’t get to her in time.

BUCK
Those ones tend to haunt you the most. It’s the what ifs, you know? What if I had moved just a little bit faster? What if they had grabbed my hand?

RAVI
What if I had jumped across the room--?

BUCK
Then you’d have fallen right through the floor and died just as fast. Take it from someone with an unfortunate amount of experience in that regard; you can’t ruminate on the what ifs because you can’t change what happened.

RAVI
I just can’t stop seeing her body lying there.

BUCK
This would usually be when Bobby would tell me that I did everything I could but sometimes that’s not enough. That some things are just out of our hands--

RAVI
That sounds like bull, and it doesn’t make me feel better.

BUCK
Me neither. But I think that was kind of his point. That you’re gonna feel shitty regardless and letting it take over isn’t going to help either. In this job, we have to find a way to carry our grief so it doesn’t weigh us down, so that every time we get to a new call, we can put all of our focus into saving the next one. We can’t give all our hope to the what ifs of the past when it’ll be better served in keeping it for the future.

Ravi and Buck sit in SILENCE for a moment while they think on Buck’s words, Ravi coming to terms with his emotions.

RAVI
Thanks. You know you’re kind of a good friend when you’re not just talking about Eddie.

BUCK
(Laughing awkwardly)
Ya, I kind of deserved that.

RAVI
Let’s just hope the mood doesn’t have to be such a downer the next time you can go a whole conversation without bringing him up.

BUCK
Hey, you brought him up this time--

RAVI
(Laughing)
I know, I know.

They both PAUSE again as the mood mellows. After a MOMENT, Ravi brings the conversation back.

RAVI
Do you think I could go to the funeral?

BUCK
I’m sure her husband would appreciate that. We can all go.

RAVI
Thanks.

(Beat)
Do you...do you know if she had any other family?

BUCK
(Sighing)
I’m sure Athena’s figuring that out.

INT. POLICE PRECINCT, INTERROGATION ROOM – NIGHT

Athena sits across the table from Victor in the Interrogation Room. Detective RICK ROMERO comes in with three coffees, handing one to Athena and Victor respectively. Victor takes his with shaking hands, looking around the room sadly. Rick takes the chair next to Athena.

RICK
I’m Detective Romero. I’m very sorry for your loss.

VICTOR
(Slightly angry)
Detective? Am I under investigation or something? I just lost my wife--

ATHENA
It’s nothing like that. We just want to make sure you’re alright before we send you on your way. Do you have family we can call? Someone you can stay with?

VICTOR
(Calming back down)
No. I-It was just me and Julia.

RICK
Any friends or coworkers?

VICTOR
No, I’m a freelance radio tower technician. I don’t meet many people.

ATHENA
It was just the two of you all alone out there?

VICTOR
That’s the way we like it...Liked it.

RICK
There are resources we can hook you up with. Shelters where you can stay while you get back on your feet and figure out what to do about your house.

VICTOR
Thank you. I don’t...I don’t know what I’m going to do. Not without Julia.

ATHENA
We’ll also give you some resources for grief counsellors.

VICTOR
Thank you, I’d appreciate it. Really, thank you for everything, you’ve been very kind tonight.

ATHENA
We’re just doing our jobs.

RICK
Alright, let’s get you that information and we’ll make sure you’re set up for the night.

Rick and Victor get up to leave. Rick walks out the door but Victor pauses, turning back to Athena.

VICTOR
Thank you for everything Sargent Grant. I don’t know how I’ll repay you.

ATHENA
No thanks necessary. I’m sorry we couldn’t do more for your wife.

VICTOR
Me too.

Victor walks out the door.

INT. DISPATCH CENTER, BREAK ROOM – NIGHT

Graham is sitting at a table in the Break Room. Maddie comes over, carrying two steaming cups of coffee. She passes one to Graham, taking the seat across from him.

MADDIE
I wish I could tell you that your first loss is always the worst and it gets easier from here, but I’d be lying. The losses have a way of sticking with you just as much as the big wins.

GRAHAM
So how do you keep going?

MADDIE
I like to find as much closure as I can. Sometimes I’ll go to the funeral or if there was a survivor on the call I’ll check in on how they’re doing.

GRAHAM
Do you...do you ever play them back?

MADDIE
The calls?

GRAHAM
Just like, seeing if there was something you could’ve done differently.

MADDIE
(Sighing)
I’d say that you shouldn’t, but I’d be a hypocrite. I’ve listened to my fair share of logged calls. Enhancing the background for clues, trying to find where it went wrong, or if there was something else I could’ve done. But it doesn’t make it better. No amount of reliving the moment will bring back the dead.

Graham perks up, the wheels turning in his head.

GRAHAM
You said you enhance the background of the calls?

MADDIE
Sometimes, but Graham, you shouldn’t go listening to the logs--

GRAHAM
I know, I just...
(Shaking off the idea)
I had a thought. It doesn’t matter.

MADDIE
It’ll do you no good to let the dead haunt you. You have to find a way to move on.

GRAHAM
Right.

MADDIE
You can get a counsellor through the department. You should talk to them. For now, go home and get some rest.

GRAHAM
But I just started my shift?

MADDIE
Do you feel ready to go back out there?

Graham looks through the window to the Dispatch Floor, seeing everyone taking calls.

GRAHAM
Not yet.

MADDIE
Go home Graham. You can come back for a fresh start tomorrow.

9-1-1 DIAL TONE.

Establishing shots of the sunrise over the city.

INT. MOVIE THEATER, LOBBY – DAY

“Zombieboy” by Lady Gaga plays over a speaker in the background.

Two young COUPLES (Early 20s, 3 GIRLS, 1 BOY) come into the movie theatre. They’re LAUGHING and affectionately shoving each other around. Girl 1 turns to her Boyfriend, tucking herself under his arm.

GIRL 1
But what if the movie’s too scary?

BOY
Don’t worry babe, I’ll protect you from the zombies.

The two Girls behind them mock the other Couple.

GIRL 3
Don’t worry babe, I’ll protect you.

GIRL 2
But what if the zombies try to eat me?

GIRL 3
Then they’ll have to go through me first.

Girl 1 turns around to stick her tongue out at them and everyone LAUGHS.

They get to the concession stand.

BOY
Four popcorns please.

GIRL 2
You getting us snacks too?

BOY
(Joking)
Actually, all of those are for me.
(To his Girlfriend, still joking)
Babe, do you want anything?

They all LAUGH again as the EMPLOYEE (Teenager, male) behind the counter grabs the popcorns from behind the counter.

EMPLOYEE
Here you go. Enjoy the movie.

BOY
Thanks man.

Everyone grabs their popcorn and heads into the theater.

SCREENING ROOM

The music STOPS, switching out for the sounds of the FILM in the background.

SOME TIME LATER, the two Couples are curled up at the back of the theater, watching the movie. The screen is playing “The Night of the Living Dead”.

A particularly bad JUMP SCARE happens on the screen. Girl 1 clutches the Boy harder while Girl 2 curls into Girl 3’s arms.

GIRL 2
I can’t watch.

GIRL 3
Aw you poor baby.

They’re at a point in the movie where zombies are rising from the dead, putting everyone on edge.

There’s another LOUD SOUND in the theater, but this time it doesn’t seem like it’s coming from the movie.

GIRL 1
What was that?

GIRL 3
It’s just the movie. Seriously you are all being such babies--

Another BANG sounds through the theater as the door near the screen opens. SMOKE billows out followed by an indistinguishable FIGURE, MOANING and stumbling around.

GIRL 1
Aaah!

BOY
Zombie!

Everyone in the theater jumps up, running out the back door as the FIGURE stumbles after them, still MOANING. They run through the lobby, being chased by the FIGURE. The Boy gets to the front door first, pulling it open and herding the rest of the Group out, SCREAMING.

EXT. MOVIE THEATER - DAY

The DAYLIGHT outside is a stark contrast to the dark theater.

The busy street is full of PEDESTRIANS, and they all look at the panicking Group coming out of the theater. It sends the rest of the street into chaos, people fleeing the scene, debris flying, cars crashing. One STREET VENDOR (50s, male) with a hotdog stand gets pushed by the fleeing crowd, falling into the hot grill. He pulls his burned hand away, SCREAMING.

Girl 2 gets shoved, falling to the pavement with a CRY, her ankle twisting. Her Friends stop around her.

A RATTLING draws everyone’s attention to the theater doors as they open. The FIGURE stumbles out, his cap falling off to reveal a face with red peeling skin to the point his features are unrecognizable. He falls to his knees, raising his reddened arms to the sky, and SCREAMS.

9-1-1 CALL SCREEN and TONE

DISPATCHER (MADDIE, V.O.)
9-1-1 what’s your emergency?

CALLER (V.O.)
The zombies are alive!

EXT. MOVIE THEATER

Intense background theme music.

The 118 arrive on scene with LIGHTS and SIRENS. They get out of the engine with SLAMMING DOORS, taking in the carnage around them. Surveying the scene, Chimney starts directing the team around.

CHIMNEY
Buck, Ravi, go check out those drivers. Eddie, start with the hot dog cart. Hen you’re with me.

The Boys run off in their respective directions while Chimney and Hen head towards the theater doors carrying their med-bags. They stop at the Couples first. Girl 2 is still lying on the ground clutching her ankle.

CHIMNEY
What do we have here?

GIRL 2
I think it’s just sprained. You have to help the zombie first!

Girl 2 points to the Figure lying on the ground in front of the doors. Hen and Chimney share a look.

HEN
Zombie?

Hen and Chimney go over to the Figure, taking in the festering skin. He rolls over with a GROAN, revealing his face. It is hard to make out, but the uniform indicates that it’s the teenage EMPLOYEE from the concession stand.

Hen and Chimney startle at the state of his skin.

CHIMNEY
How did this happen?

They both crouch down next to the Employee, opening their med-bags.

HEN
Hey, can you hear me? I’m Hen, this is Chimney, we’re paramedics. We’re here to help.

The Employee GROANS in response.

HEN (CONT’D)
This looks like chemical burns.

EMPLOYEE
It hurts.

CHIMNEY
Can you tell us how this happened?

EMPLOYEE
(Groaning and coughing)
I was cleaning the popcorn machine.

HEN
What were you cleaning it with?

EMPLOYEE
I don’t know, just the stuff I found under the counter. I think it was bleach.

CHIMNEY
Was the machine still hot?

EMPLOYEE
Ya, it made a huge cloud and it burned really bad.

Hen and Chimney look at each other.

HEN
Bleach burns?

CHIMNEY
It must have vapourized when it hit the hot machine.

HEN
We need to clean these wounds ASAP.

CHIMNEY
I’ve got sterile water here.

Chimney passes a bottle to Hen. He uses another bottle to pour it over the Employee’s arms as he GROANS in pain.

HEN (CONT’D)
I need to pour this on your face, make sure your eyes are closed.

The Employee closes his eyes as Hen pours the water over it.

CHIMNEY
Make sure you use--

HEN
Adaptic dressings, I know.

CHIMNEY
Right, you start on the dressings, I’ll check out some of the other patients. We need to get him to a hospital.

HEN
Will do, Cap.

Chimney gets up, going back to Girl 2.

CHIMNEY
Let’s take a look at that ankle.

BY THE CAR, Buck and Ravi are checking out the DRIVERS (1 male, 1 female). Driver 2 (female) is out of her vehicle since it was in front and standing off to the side where Ravi is finishing checking her over. DRIVER 1 (male) is pinned under the steering wheel where his car smashed into Driver 2’s.

BUCK
Don’t worry Sir, we’re going to get you out of there.

Buck wrenches the door open, seeing where the steering wheel has the Driver pinned. Ravi comes over.

BUCK (CONT’D)
I’m Buck, this is Ravi, we’re here to help.

RAVI
Are you in any pain?

DRIVER 1
My shoulder. I think the seatbelt dislocated it. And my legs.

Buck holds the door ajar while Ravi reaches down, feeling along Driver 1’s leg closest to the door.

RAVI
Can you feel this?

DRIVER 1
I-I think so.

RAVI
Ok that’s good, I think it’s just bruised. We’re going to get a C-collar on you just to be safe.

Buck passes the collar over as Ravi secures it.

RAVI (CONT’D)
I’ll go grab a gurney.

BUCK
And bring the saw too.

Buck stays with the car, cutting off the seatbelt while Ravi goes back to the ambulance.

Ravi pulls out the gurney, getting it set up. Nearby, Eddie is assessing the burn on the STREET VENDOR. He calls out to Ravi.

EDDIE
Hey, Ravi! Can you pass me some more gauze?

RAVI
Sure thing.

Ravi roots around in the ambulance, pulling out the gauze. He runs over to Eddie, pulling out a strip and going to place it on the STREET VENDOR’S wound.

EDDIE
Woah, woah, woah. You have to soak that in saline first.

RAVI
Oh, sorry.

EDDIE
I’ve got it. You go help Buck.

Eddie waves him away and Ravi runs back to Buck, stopping to grab the gurney on the way.

BUCK
What did Eddie need?

RAVI
He’s just treating a burn victim. How are we doing over here.

BUCK
Not bad, he’s talking fine, but I think we should get him out soon. Did you bring the saw?

RAVI
Oh, uh, no, I forgot. I’ll go grab it.

Ravie runs off for the engine while Buck stays with the Driver.

BUCK
How are you feeling? How’s the shoulder?

Buck palpates along the shoulder.

DRIVER 1
It’s hurting a little less now.

Buck feels along the arm, getting to Driver 1’s hand. He schools his features, not wanting to worry the Driver.

BUCK
Are your hands usually cold?

Buck feels for a pulse on the back of Driver 1’s hand, clearly not finding one.

DRIVER 1
Uh no, I tend to run hot actually. They get super clammy.

BUCK
Ok just a sec, you just sit tight.

Buck turns away from the car, calling out across the street.

BUCK (CONT’D)
Hey Eddie! I need you over here.

Eddie looks up as he finishes wrapping the STREET VENDOR’s wound.

EDDIE
You’re all good but you should still get that checked out at a hospital. Another unit will be here shortly to take you.

STREET VENDOR
Thanks.

Eddie runs over to Buck, taking his med-bag with him.

EDDIE
What’s up?

BUCK
(Quietly)
He’s got a dislocated shoulder, and I can’t feel a pulse in his hand.

EDDIE
Can he feel it?

Ravi arrives back with he gurney.

BUCK
I don’t think so.

EDDIE
And he had feeling in it before?

They both look at Ravi for confirmation.

RAVI
I...

EDDIE
Did you check for a pulse in your initial assessment?

RAVI
I’m not sure...

EDDIE
We need to get him out of that car. Now.

Buck takes the saw from Ravi while Eddie lays a fire protection blanket over Driver 1.

EDDIE (CONT’D)
This is going to keep you safe from any sparks.

Buck RIPS the saw, cutting through the wheel. Eddie holds it steady, pulling it away when Buck’s done. Ravi stands behind them, anxiously watching the teammates work together.

BUCK
Alright let’s get you out of there.

Buck goes to turn to grab the gurney from Ravi, but Eddie already has it, setting it up.

EDDIE
Ready, one, two, three.

Buck and Eddie lift Driver 1 out, laying him down. Eddie immediately goes to the arm, running a finger up.

EDDIE (CONT’D)
Sir, can you feel this?

DRIVER 1
I-I don’t think so.

Buck is checking out Driver 1’s legs.

BUCK
I’ve got a pulse in both ankles and mobility seems to be good. Just bruised from the impact.

Eddie feels for a pulse at the back of the hand.

EDDIE
I can’t find a pulse. I’m going to need pop your shoulder back into the joint so you can get better blood flow to your hand.

Eddie sets up to fix the joint.

EDDIE (CONT’D)
Ready? Ok deep breath in...and out.

Eddie pops the shoulder in while Driver 1 YELPS, then lets out a SIGH of relief.

EDDIE
Alright, that should feel better.

Eddie feels the back of Driver 1’s hand again.

EDDIE
And pulse is back. Buck, can you grab the--

BUCK
Sling? Got it right here.

Buck pulls it from Eddie’s med-bag, passing it over.

EDDIE
We’re just going to stabilize it until we get to the hospital.

ACROSS THE STREET, Hen and Chimney are finishing up with their Patients.

CHIMNEY
(Calling to the Team)
Zombie boy is priority one for hospital transfer. How are you guys doing?

EDDIE
We’re good to wait for the next unit to arrive.

CHIMNEY
Alright, nice work team.

Hen and Chimney load the Employee into the ambulance. Buck and Eddie fist bump at their success. Ravi stands off to the side, watching with a feeling of dread.

INT. DISPATCH CENTER – DAY

The elevator doors open on the dispatch floor revealing MAY. She notices both Maddie and Josh are busy taking calls. She gives them a WAVE when they notice her. Josh and Maddie NOD that they’ll come over when they’re finished.

May heads down a hallway, heading for the BATHROOM while she waits for her friends but is stopped by SOUNDS coming from one of the OFFICES.

May peaks in, spotting Graham sitting at a desk, obsessively looking at a computer. He catches the movement by the door, JUMPING as he spots May.

May quietly cracks the door open.

MAY
Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.

GRAHAM
Oh, that’s ok, sorry I wasn’t paying attention.

Graham is looking between his screen and May. May senses Graham’s nerves and that he looks like he’s been caught doing something he wasn’t supposed to.

MAY
What are you looking at?

Graham looks at his screen in panic. May comes closer, being able to make out the familiar screen of the call logs. May understands immediately.

MAY (CONT’D)
Bad call?

GRAHAM
Ya. I-I lost a woman in a house fire.

MAY
I’m sorry.

GRAHAM
Thanks.

MAY
Didn’t they tell you not to go replaying those? It never helps.

GRAHAM
Uh, ya. I-I just thought I had heard something in the background and wanted to check it out.

MAY
Heard something?

GRAHAM
Um, yes?

MAY
And did it work?

GRAHAM
What?

MAY
Were you able to make out what you thought you heard?

GRAHAM
Oh, um, maybe?

MAY
(Gesturing to Graham’s computer)
Can I take a look?

GRAHAM
(Caught off guard)
Oh, ya, of course.

Graham gets up from his chair, gesturing for May to sit down. On the screen, the audio file is somewhere in the middle of the call. May hits PLAY.

GRAHAM (RECORDING)
How are we doing Julia?

JULIA (RECORDING)
The smoke stopped coming in but it’s getting really hot in here.

The RUMBLING in the background of the call has been enhanced to be louder and more distinct.

GRAHAM (RECORDING)
Ok Julia, the firefighters are almost there. Can you tell me a bit more about the layout of the house so they can find you faster?

JULIA (RECORDING)
Um, I’m in the bedroom on the third floor. It’s up the stairs and down the hall on the right.

GRAHAM (RECORDING)
Ok, and do you know where in the house the fire might have started.

JULIA (RECORDING)
Uh...no I’m not sure.

GRAHAM (RECORDING)
That’s ok. Were you in the bedroom when the fire started.

JULIA (RECORDING)
Yes. I-I was sleeping and got woken up by the fire alarm.

GRAHAM (RECORDING)
And the fire had already reached the hallway to your bedroom by the time the alarm went off?

JULIA (RECORDING)
I-I think so. It’s getting hotter! I think the flames might start coming through the door.

GRAHAM (RECORDING)
Just stay calm Julia--

May PAUSES the recording. Then she goes back a couple seconds and presses PLAY again.

JULIA (RECORDING)
The smoke stopped coming in but it’s getting really hot in here.

The RUMBLING sound can be heard again.

GRAHAM (RECORDING)
Ok Julia--

May hits PAUSE again.

MAY
That kind of sounded like--

GRAHAM
A car starting?

MAY
Ya. But how could she be in a car if she was in the house?

GRAHAM
(Excited)
That’s what I thought! And it couldn’t have been a car outside because they don’t live near anyone. Plus, she was kind of iffy on how the fire started so I thought--

MAY
That she might not have been telling the truth?

GRAHAM
Exactly! What if...what if she wasn’t in the house?

MAY
You mean what if she isn’t dead?

GRAHAM
I know it sounds crazy but--

MAY
It kind of does...And normally I’d say you were just trying to find a way to cope with the grief but...Did they find a body?

GRAHAM
Yes. Well, they found remains charred by the fire. But forensics won’t come back on those for a while and the firefighters who went in never actually saw Julia. They just saw a body in the bed--

A KNOCK on the door cuts them off. Both May and Graham JUMP, turning to see Maddie and Josh in the doorway.

MADDIE
Graham, I thought I told you to go home?

GRAHAM
Right, ya sorry I was going to but--

MAY
I think you should take a look at this.

DISPATCH FLOOR

SOME TIME LATER, Graham is sitting back at a desk on the Main Floor. Maddie, Josh, May, and Athena, having been called in, are standing around his computer.

Graham PLAYS the call back again.

JULIA (RECORDING)
The smoke stopped coming in but it’s getting really hot in here.

The RUMBLING sound in the background is very distinct.

GRAHAM (RECORDING)
Ok Julia--

Graham hits PAUSE.

JOSH
That’s definitely a car starting.

GRAHAM
And there’s more at the end.

Graham moves to the end of the call, hitting PLAY again.

JULIA (RECORDING)
(Coughing harder)
Please hurry.

With the enhanced audio, they can almost make out the RUMBLING of a moving car.

GRAHAM (RECORDING)
They’re almost there, just keep breathing. Stay with me Julia.

The THUD is more distinct, sounding more like a SMASH.

GRAHAM (RECORDING)
Julia?...Julia?

Graham hits PAUSE again.

GRAHAM
I think she might have thrown the phone out the window.

MADDIE
But why wouldn’t she tell us she got out of the fire?

MAY
Do you think she was trying to fake her own death?

JOSH
What if we’re wrong and she never drove off or threw her phone away?

ATHENA
There’s only one way to find out.

EXT. WOODED ROAD – DAY

Athena is driving along the same road leading to Victor and Julia’s house. She slows down as she nears the driveway, continuing down the road.

ATHENA
(Into her radio)
Dispatch, can you call Julia’s phone. See if the ringer is on.

MADDIE (V.O.)
Copy that 727-L-30.

Athena rolls her windows down, listening as the car rolls slowly along. A faint RINGING can be made out in the background, getting louder as Athena gets closer.

Athena pulls over, getting out of her car and following the RINGING into the ditch on the side of the road. A cell phone is lying in the weeds with a cracked screen.

Athena puts on a glove, bending down to pick up the still-ringing device.

ATHENA
(Into her radio)
Dispatch, we’ve got it. Julia Rogers is still alive.

Athena straightens up as the phone ringing STOPS. She reaches into her pocket with her ungloved hand, pulling out her own phone and dialing the MORGUE.

ATHENA
(Into her phone)
Hello this is Sargent Grant. I’m going to need a rush on the remains identification for Julia Rogers...

INT. FIREHOUSE, FIREHALL – DAY

Ravi is alone in the Fire Hall, washing the engine. He’s muttering, beating himself up for the earlier calls.

RAVI
Stupid. You need to get your head in the game.

Chimney comes around the engine, tentatively approaching Ravi.

CHIMNEY
Hey Ravioli. Everyone’s upstairs. Buck made lunch.

RAVI
Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to make you wait for me. I’m not really hungry.

Chimney watches as Ravi aggressively polishes the bumper.

CHIMNEY
Are you doing ok?

RAVI
I’m fine.

CHIMNEY
(Trying to cheer Ravi up)
Are you sure, cause that bumper is shinier than Eddie’s abs after a workout.

RAVI
(Still morose)
Oh, sorry, I clean when I’m stressed.

CHIMNEY
(Still trying to lighten the mood)
Hey, don’t apologize. Between Buck’s stress baking and your stress cleaning, you’re the perfect house-wife duo.

RAVI
(Muttering)
Ya well that seems to be the only duo we’re good for.

A burst of LAUGHTER draws their attention to the Loft where Eddie is talking to Buck.

CHIMNEY
Ah yes, the Action Amigos.
(Beat)
You know Buck hated Eddie when they started?

RAVI
Ya he mentioned it. Took almost a whole shift to warm up to him.

CHIMNEY
But he warmed up to you too. I thought you guys were friends now, hanging out after shift and stuff.

RAVI
I mean, we were but...

CHIMNEY
(Understanding)
Eddie came back.

RAVI
(Sighing)
Ya.

CHIMNEY
And then the partners got switched around and everything changed.

RAVI
It’s not that I have a problem with the switch-up, it’s just...They have this shorthand, or it’s like they don’t even have to say anything and the other one is already doing exactly what they wanted--

CHIMNEY
That is a bond formed from years of working together--

RAVI
I know, it’s just that...

CHIMNEY
Just what?

RAVI
(Shrugging)
I’m not good enough.

CHIMNEY
Ravi--

RAVI
I know that I’ll never be able to live up to the partnership that Buck and Eddie had but on the calls today I kept screwing up and they were just perfect every time. I don’t know, I guess I’m just feeling off my game. It’s stupid.

CHIMNEY
It’s not stupid--

RAVI
It is though. I don’t even want to be like Eddie. I like who I am but these last few months, I keep messing up and he keeps stepping in to fix it and I’m left on the outside of their little bubble again.

CHIMNEY
You know, I kind of had the same thing when Buck first started.

RAVI
You?

CHIMNEY
Ya. I had all these years of experience, but in came this hotshot kid who got to do all the cool rescues. He’d be rappelling down buildings, grabbing victims off the sides of cliffs and I’d be operating the winch. I knew that I was capable of doing more, being more, but there were some days where I just felt like such a loser.

RAVI
How’d you get over it?

CHIMNEY
Hen reminded me of who I am. You know, what made me great. I might not have been the guy to jump off a building, but I was and still am a damn good paramedic. And it might have been rough at the start, but Buck has a way of growing on people, even if it takes time.

RAVI
I just don’t want to keep feeling like such an outsider.

CHIMNEY
You’re not an outsider Ravi. You’re family. And I’m sorry if we haven’t made you feel like you are.

Ravi twists the rag in his hands.

CHIMNEY (CONT’D)
You’re an integral part of the team and we couldn’t do this without you.

RAVI
(Shrugging, near tears)
I just want to stop messing up all the time.

CHIMNEY
Is this about the call from last night?

RAVI
I should have grabbed her--

CHIMNEY
Ravi, that was not your fault. I know those kinds of bad calls can throw you off your game and make you think that every mistake is a catastrophic failure that happens all the time, but I promise you, it’s not. You are a great firefighter Ravi, and you are still learning which is why I paired you up with Buck in the first place. So you can learn from him because you have just as much heart and all the room to grow that he did when he first started...
(Joking)
With maybe a couple more screws holding your head together.

Ravi gives a weak CHUCKLE.

RAVI
You think so?

Chimney puts a hand on Ravi’s shoulder.

CHIMNEY
I know so. You wouldn’t be on A-shift if I didn’t think you were fully capable of being here.

RAVI
Thanks Cap, that means a lot coming from you.

CHIMNEY
Good. Now let’s go upstairs and get some grub before Crunch and Munch wolf down the whole table.

EXT. WOODED ROAD – DAY

Athena is driving when she gets a call through her car speaker. It’s from Rick.

ATHENA
Talk to me Rick.

RICK (V.O.)
Forensics came back. And those bones definitely do not belong to Julia Rogers.

ATHENA
Who’s are they?

RICK (V.O.)
They belong to a very unlucky deer.

ATHENA
A deer?

RICK (V.O.)
Apparently Victor is an avid hunter. Julia probably got the bones that way. Made the bed look like there was a person in it before she left.

ATHENA
So why would she want to disappear to the point that she needed to fake her death?

RICK (V.O.)
I’ve got an idea. I don’t think Rick is quite the devoted husband we thought he was.

ATHENA
What did you find?

RICK (V.O.)
Several police calls made over the last two years from their address. All relating to domestic violence.

ATHENA
You think she was trying to get away from him?

RICK (V.O.)
I’m starting to think that’s the most likely story from this unlikely circumstance.

ATHENA
I can head to him now and bring him in if you want. Where’s he staying?

RICK (V.O.)
That’s the thing. LAPD already went to pick him up, but he left the shelter this morning. And get this, remember when he said they had no other family?

ATHENA
Let me guess, they do but they’re not on speaking terms?

RICK (V.O.)
Julia has a sister that lives in Riverside. Macy Green. They stopped speaking two years ago, right around the time Julia married Victor.

ATHENA
I’m going to need that address.

RICK (V.O.)
Sending it to you now. I’ll have another unit meet you there.

Rick HANGS UP.

Athena turns on the LIGHTS and SIRENS.

INT. RESIDENCE, LIVING ROOM – NIGHT

Intense background theme music.

MACY GREEN (30s, female) is pacing anxiously around her Living Room. She keeps glancing at the door and moving the blinds to peak out the windows.

HEADLIGHTS from a pickup truck shine through and Macy jumps away from the blinds, looking back at the door in fear.

A BANGING starts up on the other side.

VICTOR (V.O.)
Macy! Open up, I know she’s in there.

Macy pulls out her phone, dialing 9-1-1.
VICTOR (V.O.)
I saw the cops looking for me at the shelter. I know my wife is still alive. Macy, open the door!

The line RINGS twice before CONNECTING.

DISPATCHER (GRAHAM, V.O.)
9-1-1 what’s your emergency?

MACY
(Into the phone, quietly)
Th-There’s a man outside my house. H-He’s trying to break in.

DISPATCH CENTER

Graham is sitting at his desk, taking the call.

GRAHAM
What’s your address?

MACY (V.O.)
890 Riverside Road.

Graham types it in and the system immediately FLAGS the address as the one Athena is already on route to. Graham puts his hand up, calling Josh over.

GRAHAM
We already have police on route to your location. Are you by chance Macy Green?

MACY (V.O.)
Yes. How did you--?

GRAHAM
I spoke with your sister earlier today. Is she at the house with you?

Josh gets to the desk, connecting his headset to listen in.

MACY (V.O.)
Um...

GRAHAM
Macy, I’m here to help you and your sister. To do that I need to know if you know where she is to keep her safe from her husband--

MACY (V.O.)
You already know? How he treats her?

GRAHAM
Police have been investigating him all day. We’re worried he might try to track down your sister.

INT. RESIDENCE

Victor is still BANGING on the door.

VICTOR (V.O.)
Macy open up you bitch!

MACY
(Into the phone)
H-He’s here. He’s outside.

GRAHAM (V.O.)
The police are almost there. Do you know if he’s armed?

VICTOR (v.O.)
Julia if you don’t come out, I’m going to shoot through this door!

MACY
(Into the phone, crying)
I-I think he has a gun.

DISPATCH CENTER

Graham CONNECTS to the Police line.

GRAHAM
All units be advised, suspect is outside the home and armed with a gun.

ATHENA (V.O.)
Copy that dispatch. Two minutes out.

Graham keeps typing.

GRAHAM
(To Josh)
Dispatching RA units just in case.

In the background, Maddie notices the commotion and comes over to listen.

Graham CONNECTS back to Macy.

GRAHAM (CONT’D)
How are we doing Macy?

INT. RESIDENCE

Victor is now trying to KICK down the door.

VICTOR (V.O.)
I know you’re in there!

MACY
(Into the phone)
H-He’s getting angrier. I think he’s going to break down the door.

GRAHAM (V.O.)
Is there somewhere in the house where you can hide? Somewhere with a locked door?

MACY
T-The bathroom?

GRAHAM (V.O.)
Ok I want you to go in there and lock the door. Barricade it if you can.

Macy runs for the BATHROOM, locking the door behind her.

MACY
There’s a dresser. I-I can try to move it.

GRAHAM (V.O.)
That’ll work.

Macy starts trying to push the dresser but it’s extremely heavy.

A CRASH sounds from outside the door followed by heavy FOOTSTEPS. Victor has broken in.

VICTOR (V.O.)
Julia get out here now!

MACY
(Into the phone, whispering)
H-He’s inside.

She tries pushing the dresser with renewed vigor. It budges towards the door.

GRAHAM (V.O.)
Police are almost there. Macy, I want you to stay as quiet as possible. And if he finds you, then you fight with everything you have until the police get there. You only have to hang on for another minute.

Macy gives up on trying to push the dresser, instead backing into the tub, pulling the shower curtain closed. She huddles down, BREATHING heavy.

VICTOR (V.O.)
Macy, come out, come out, wherever you are.

There’s BANGING on the bathroom door. Macy FLINCHES.

VICTOR (CONT’D)
I know you’re in there! Get out here now!

Macy stays hunched down, clutching her phone with Graham listening over the line.

VICTOR (CONT’D)
I’m coming in!

There’s another CRASH as Victor kicks down the door. Heavy FOOTSTEPS come into the room before the shower curtain is pulled aside. Victor grabs Macy by the hair and she SCREAMS, dropping the phone.

Victor pulls her up out of the tub.

VICTOR (CONT’D)
Where is she?! Where is Julia?!

MACY
(Crying)
I don’t know, she’s not here!

Victor SHAKES Macy.

VICTOR
You’re lying!

MACY
Please, she’s not here!

GRAHAM (V.O.)
(Faintly through the phone)
Macy? Macy what’s happening?

Victor takes note of the phone. He points the gun at Macy, blocking the door to the bathroom, keeping Macy trapped.

VICTOR
You called the cops?!

MACY
Please--

Victor cocks the gun.

VICTOR
You little bitch--

A KNIFE appears through Victor’s chest. He looks down as blood starts to pour from the wound. He turns around to see JULIA ROGERS (30s, female).

JULIA
Don’t touch my sister you bastard!

MACY
Julia no! I told you to hide!

Julia goes to raise the knife again but Victor reaches out, grabbing her wrist.

VICTOR
You thought you could escape from me?

Victor wrestles the knife from Julia’s hand, holding it up in front of him with the gun. Julia backs up in fear.

VICTOR (CONT’D)
You’re never leaving me. I won’t let you.

Victor STABS Julia in the stomach, pulling the knife back out. She looks down in shock as blood stains through her shirt.

MACY
Julia!

Victor turns back to Macy, raising the gun again.

VICTOR
You’re next--

BANG! Blood splatters from Victor’s head. He keels over, revealing Athena standing in the doorway with her gun raised.

ATHENA
(Into her radio)
Dispatch, suspect is down. Medical is cleared for entry.

Macy SOBS, realizing they’re saved. Julia turns to see Athena, then COLLAPSES, blood pouring from her wound.

“Graveyard Whistling” by Nothing But Thieves plays.

Athena reaches out to catch Julia, slowly lowering her to the floor.

MACY
Julia!

Macy rushes over, crouching down by her Sister.

Hen, Eddie, and Ravi come rushing in. Athena gets up, pulling Macy back and guiding her out into the HALLWAY while she CRIES. They meet Chimney who comes over to take a look at Macy.

In the Bathroom, the Paramedics are setting up around Julia.

HEN
Stay with us Julia.

Hen starts setting up a heart monitor.

EDDIE
(Handing Ravi gauze)
Ravi, keep pressure on that wound.

Ravi puts the gauze over Julia’s stomach, trying to slow the bleeding.

EDDIE (CONT’D)
Heart rate’s dropping, we’re losing her.

HEN
Run a line of saline and O-neg wide open.

Eddie and Hen set up the line while Ravi focuses on the wound.

RAVI
Come on Julia, just hang on.

HEN
Line’s in.

Eddie watches the heart monitor.

EDDIE
Pressure’s still dropping.

Hen squeezes the blood and saline bags, trying to get the blood to Julia faster.

RAVI
We’ve got you Julia, just stay with us.

They watch the monitor with bated breath. After a moment, the numbers start to rise.

EDDIE
Pressure’s rising. She’s coming back.

Everyone lets out a BREATH of relief. Julia slowly opens her eyes, looking at Ravi.

RAVI
I’ve got you.

EXT. RESIDENCE

Macy is sitting in the back of the ambulance with Chimney and Buck standing around her. Athena is off to the side, talking with the other POLICE UNITS.

Hen comes out of the house, followed by Eddie and Ravi pushing the gurney with Julia on it. She’s sitting up with a large bandage running across her stomach.

Macy jumps up when she sees them as they come over to the ambulance.

MACY
Julia!

Seeing her Sister, Julia reaches out, taking Macy’s hand.

MACY (CONT’D)
It’s over. He can’t hurt you anymore.

JULIA
Thank you, for taking me in. I’m sorry I left.

MACY
I’m sorry I let you leave.

JULIA
We’ve got a lot of time to make up for.

MACY
And now we’ve got a lot of time to do it. Thanks to all of you.

Macy looks around at the 118, her eyes landing on Ravi.

MACY (CONT’D)
Thank you, for saving her.

Ravi NODS, choked up.

CHIMNEY
It’s just part of the job.

HEN
Come on, let’s get you two to a hospital.

They load everyone into the ambulances. Eddie CLAPS Ravi on the back as he passes him to climb into the rig.

The music STOPS.

INT. DISPATCH CENTER, BREAK ROOM – NIGHT

May, Maddie, and Josh are sitting in the Break Room, eating takeout. Graham pops his head in.

GRAHAM
I’m heading out. Need to get some rest before next shift.

MADDIE
Good job today.

JOSH
You did really great for your first solo day.

GRAHAM
Thanks. Well, have a good night. It was nice meeting you May.

MAY
You too Graham.

Graham walks out.

MAY
Is it some sort of rule or something that you have to have someone die on your first call?

JOSH
I hope not.

MADDIE
We do not need that kind of ju-ju. This day was already crazy enough.

MAY
Tell me about it. I did not realize how much I missed the action.

MADDIE
I totally get that.

JOSH
Sounds like you need to come back too.

May takes an interest in her food.

JOSH (CONT’D)
Are you thinking about coming back?

MAY
I don’t know...

MADDIE
Well, we know you didn’t come here to accidentally take up a full day’s shift.

MAY
Can’t I just want to say hi?

JOSH
Sure, but your generation does that over text.

MADDIE
What’s going on May?

MAY
You know how I’m supposed to graduate this year?

JOSH
Yes.

MAY
I have no idea what I want to do after college.

MADDIE
That’s totally fine, lots of people don’t know where they’re going to end up after school.

JOSH
Ya that’s the exciting part about life; figuring it out.

MAY
But I don’t even know where to start. I loved working here but I’m not sure if I’d want to do this as a career. Like, I loved going to school and getting to study so many new things, but I also miss helping people.

MADDIE
So why don’t you see what opportunities your campus has?

MAY
But that’s only good for this year. What am I supposed to do after I graduate?

JOSH
Unfortunately, I don’t think we can tell you that.

MADDIE
What you want to do with your life is something you have to figure out for yourself.

MAY
But I’m running out of time.

JOSH
There’s no such thing as running out of time. Look at me and Maddie. Neither of us started our dispatching careers until we were in our thirties. There is nothing wrong with trying something out.

MAY
But what if I don’t like it?

JOSH
Then you try something else. You never have to get stuck somewhere you don’t like if you don’t want to be there.

MADDIE
You just have to trust that new opportunities will come.

MAY
So I can try out different things until I find where I’m meant to be?

JOSH
Of course. And you’ve already tried dispatching, so you know how you feel about it. And if you ever want to come back, we’ll always have a desk open for you.

MAY
Thanks.

MADDIE
I guess you’ve got a lot to think about.

MAY
(Looking contemplatively at her dinner)
I guess I do.

ROLL CREDITS

Chapter Text

9-1-1 DIAL TONE.

Chill background theme music.

INT. GRANT RESIDENCE, DINING ROOM – EVENING

ATHENA, MAY, and HARRY are sitting around the Dining Room table, eating dinner.

MAY
I don’t see why you can’t just decide between here and Miami.

HARRY
Uh maybe because mom and dad would freak if I picked the place they aren’t in.

ATHENA
I don’t care if you want to stay in Miami, as long as you’re happy...All I’ll say is that LA has better sushi and is less susceptible to flooding. Plus I made sure you’d have your own room when I moved again...

HARRY
(Sarcastic)
Yes, you seem totally unbiased.

MAY
Ooh and in LA you can run into random celebrities at the grocery store. Last week I saw Reese Witherspoon at Erewhon.

HARRY
(Judgemental)
Why were you shopping at Erewhon?

MAY
I like the smoothies. And if you stay here, you could go to USC and then I could show you all the best places on campus. There’s this one bar that has these crazy--

May trails off, realizing she probably shouldn’t continue that sentence in front of her mom. Athena gives her a LOOK before rerouting the conversation.

ATHENA
I’m sure you could both get up to many respectable activities in college. Speaking of, have you decided where you want to apply?

HARRY
(Annoyed)
Mom.

ATHENA
Hey, your dad and I agreed that you could have the summer off after graduating to figure stuff out and visit between here and Miami, but summer has been over for a month now and I’m not seeing a lot of progress. You need to make some decisions if you want to be going to school next year.

Harry picks at his food.

HARRY
I don’t even know if I want to go to college.

Athena puts her cutlery down.

ATHENA
Well of course you’re going to college.

HARRY
But I don’t even know what I want to do.

ATHENA
That’s what college is for. You can figure it out there.

HARRY
What if I don’t? May hasn’t.

MAY
Hey!

Harry gives her an innocent SHRUG.

MAY (CONT’D)
Traitor.

ATHENA
What does he mean?

May shoots Harry a look that says “you’re dead to me”.

MAY
I...don’t really know what I want to do after I graduate.

ATHENA
But you graduate in the spring?

MAY
I know. And I’m trying to figure it out but there’s just so many options. How am I supposed to know which is the right one?

HARRY
Exactly. Do you really want me to spend years studying something that might be useless to me in the future?

ATHENA
An education is never useless. You’ll learn lots of non-academic skills in college that are just as important as a career education.

HARRY
But you didn’t even finish college. You dropped out--

ATHENA
To join the police academy. I had a job. I wasn’t just sitting around going from place to place with no end in sight.

MAY
And I’m doing stuff to try to figure it out.

HARRY
Oh ya, like what?

MAY
There’s a college career fair tomorrow that I’m gonna go to.

ATHENA
(Pleased)
A career fair? You know that was the start of me joining the police academy.

MAY
Ya well, let’s hope that it might provide me with some inspiration. You could come with me if you want?

ATHENA
That sounds great May. See Harry? There’s lots of ways to find what you want to do, you just have to go out and look for it and college is a great resource for that.

HARRY
Well sorry that I’m not as clear-headed as the two of you but I don’t want to waste all that time and money on something I don’t even care about.

Harry gets up from the table and storms out of the room, leaving his half-eaten dinner behind.

MAY
Maybe you shouldn’t be so hard on him.

ATHENA
I just worry is all. He’s been so lost since Bobby--
(Pausing, getting choked up)
I just want to know that he has some security in where he’s headed.

MAY
Me too, but I don’t think this is the type of decision that you can rush.

ATHENA
Then let’s hope he finds a direction soon because he can’t keep wandering around forever.

TITLE SEQUENCE

Chill background theme music.

EXT. COLLEGE CAMPUS, CAREER FAIR – DAY

May and Athena are walking through a Career Fair at May’s College. There’s brightly coloured booths set up on either side of the lane and STUDENTS wandering around everywhere.

ATHENA
So are you looking for anything in particular?

MAY
Honestly, I have no idea. I’d like to find something where I can help people like I was at dispatch but also get to try something new.

They pass a booth with a banner declaring “Bring the Dead Back to Life”. The REPRESENTATIVE behind the booth calls out to a group of passing STUDENTS.

REPRESENTATIVE
Hey, are you guys interested in pursuing a career as a paranormal guide?

May and Athena share a LOOK.

MAY
So definitely not anything like that.

ATHENA
At least we know what you’re not looking for.

Athena spots a booth with POLICE OFFICERS down the lane.

ATHENA (CONT’D)
Oh look, there’s the recruiters for the police academy.

MAY
I don’t think I’m looking for that either. I’m not quite as into the action as you like to be. Dispatch was a good mix of action and helping people but still having my personal safety.

Athena keeps looking, spotting a booth for the LA TIMES.

ATHENA
What about journalism? Doesn’t this school have a good program for that?

MAY
It does, but I don’t know. I can’t imagine standing on the sidelines while someone’s in danger. And after everything the press has done to you and Bobby...

ATHENA
Hmm you’re right, let’s keep looking.

SOME TIME LATER, May and Athena are getting to the end of the lane of booths.

MAY
Maybe we should look somewhere else--

ATHENA
Simone?

Athena has spotted someone behind one of the last booths. She approaches with May on her heels.

ATHENA (CONT’D)
Simone Johnson?

SIMONE JOHNSON (late 50s, female) is standing behind a booth for “YOUTH JUSTICE REFORM”. She looks up at Athena in excited shock.

SIMONE
Athena? Athena Carter?

ATHENA
It’s Athena Grant-Nash now.

SIMONE
(More conspiratorial than judgy)
Oh? You married? Twice?

ATHENA
Yes, but I’m a widow now.

SIMONE
(Immediately changing her tone)
Oh, I’m sorry for your loss.

ATHENA
(Brushing it off, changing the topic)
What are you doing here? I didn’t know you were working in LA.

SIMONE
I’m retired actually. Moved back here a couple years ago after my husband died. New York didn’t feel the same without him.

ATHENA
Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.

SIMONE
Thank you.

Athena reads the banner and looks down at the pamphlets, finding a different direction for the conversation.

ATHENA
The Los Angeles Justice Reform Confederacy?

SIMONE
Yes, we’re a non-profit working to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline. I started it when I was working corporate law in New York and decided to start a branch out here when I moved back to LA.

MAY
You help prevent youth incarceration?

SIMONE
Yes we do...

Taking notice of May, Simone looks between her and Athena.

SIMONE (CONT’D)
Your daughter?

ATHENA
Yes, this is May.

MAY
It’s nice to meet you. How do you two know each other?

ATHENA
Oh we go way back.

SIMONE
All the way to law school.

MAY
You went to college together?

ATHENA
Yep. Simone was top of the class.

SIMONE
Ah, your mom gave me a run for my money. At least until she left to become a hot-shot cop. How’s that going?

ATHENA
I’m a Sargent now actually.

SIMONE
Ok hot-shot Sargent. It looks like you did well for yourself. Great career, beautiful daughter...

ATHENA
And a son. I’ve been very blessed.

SIMONE
Good for you.

ATHENA
And you? Any kids?

SIMONE
A daughter but she still lives in New York with her wife.

ATHENA
Sounds like we have a lot to catch up on. You should come over for dinner.

SIMONE
Oh I would love to.

ATHENA
How about Wednesday?

SIMONE
I’ll be there.

Athena grabs a pen and paper off the table, writing on it and handing it to Simone.

ATHENA (CONT’D)
My number and our new address.

SIMONE
You moved too? Sounds like a lot has happened since college.

ATHENA
Oh like you wouldn’t believe.

INT. FIREHOUSE, GYM – DAY

BUCK, EDDIE, and RAVI are working out in the Gym. Ravi is benching an impressive amount of weight while Eddie spots him.

EDDIE
C’mon you got one more in you.

Ravi GRUNTS, doing another rep before racking the bar.

BUCK
Nice, man.

Buck offers a hand to help Ravi up with a crips CLAP of their palms.

CHIMNEY comes over, also ready to work out. Buck picks up a dumbbell and starts doing curls.

CHIMNEY
You guys catch the game last night?

RAVI
Ya, the Rams dominated.

Chimney picks up some dumbbells too, Ravi and Eddie following suit.

EDDIE
He’s talking about basketball.

RAVI
Damn Cap, you’re a Lakers fan?

CHIMNEY
I dabble. Did you two see that dunk in the third?

BUCK
(Awkwardly)
Oh uh, I missed it actually.

EDDIE
Ya Buck will take any excuse to not watch basketball.

CHIMNEY
Oh ya? What did you get up to instead?

BUCK
Oh...um...I was--

HEN interrupts them from the Firehall, calling out to someone entering the building.

HEN
Well look who’s back from Miami.

Harry is walking into the Firehouse. The Boys drop their weights, and head over.

CHIMNEY
Harry Grant, you need to stop growing.

BUCK
Ya you wouldn’t want Chim to find out that most people grow past the age of 13.

CHIMNEY
And you wouldn’t want Buck to find out that most people mature before the age of 30.

HEN and EDDIE
Oooh.

HARRY
(Laughing)
Hey guys. Ravi, you catch the Rams last night?

RAVI
You know it.

Harry DAPS UP Ravi.

CHIMNEY
What? What is this betrayal?

HARRY
Sorry Chim but you know I played football back in Miami.

HEN
Speaking of which, how long are you in LA this time?

HARRY
Not sure. Mom’s been on my back about applying to college.

HEN
And how’s that going?

Harry SHRUGS noncommittally.

HEN (CONT’D)
And how does your mom feel about that?

HARRY
Ah you know mom, she’s super easy going about planning for her kids’ futures.

BUCK
Oof, I remember those days.

HARRY
Your parents harped on you to go to college?

BUCK
Oh boy, ya they did.

HARRY
So what did you study?

BUCK
Uh actually, I didn’t. Dropped out a couple months into my freshman year.

Chimney pats Buck on the shoulder.

CHIMNEY
(Mockingly proud)
Our all-star college dropout.

Buck jokingly shoves him off.

HARRY
What did you end up doing?

BUCK
Well it’s kind of a long story but Maddie gave me her jeep and I left. Went on a road trip across America and worked a bunch of odd jobs. Even tended bar in Peru for a while before I settled down here.

HARRY
So you just like, took a year off?

BUCK
A couple years actually. And it honestly worked out pretty great for me. I mean, look at me now. This is exactly where I’m meant to be, and I don’t know if I would’ve gotten here if I hadn’t tried all the other stuff.

HARRY
What do you mean?

BUCK
Well, like I said, it’s kind of a long story.

Harry looks around the Group, noting the lack of uniforms indicating that they clearly aren’t busy with calls.

HARRY
I’ve got time...

LOFT COUCHES

Buck and Harry are sitting on the couches alone, Buck finishing up the stories of his travels.

HARRY
So you ended up joining the fire academy because of a tv show you saw in Peru?

BUCK
Yep. Don’t know where I’d be now if Connor hadn’t invited me to join the guys on their way back to California but here I am.

HARRY
That’s crazy.

BUCK
Ya I got that a lot. Buck 1.0 was a pretty free spirit.

HARRY
And now?

BUCK
Well, I think I have different priorities now.

HARRY
Like what?

Buck takes up a seriously pensive demeanor.

BUCK
Like settling down, starting a family maybe. That whole thing...

Buck seems lost in thought. Harry tries to bring the conversation back.

HARRY
Huh. I’m definitely not ready for any of that.

BUCK
(Snapping out of it and laughing)
No, I think that’s the point. I’m not that young anymore and I’m not looking for the same kind of adventures I used to. But you, you have the whole world in front of you. You might as well try to discover as much of it as you can. And hey, you might even find something you never thought of along the way.

HARRY
The whole world huh?

The ALARM rings, cutting off Buck’s response. Buck gives Harry an apologetic look.

BUCK
Sorry, I’ve gotta--

HARRY
(Waving him off)
Ya, ya, go be a hero.

Buck jumps up, running off.

HARRY (CONT’D)
Be safe!

INT. GRANT RESIDENCE, DINGING ROOM – EVENING

May and Harry are having dinner with Athena and Simone. Everyone is having a good time while Simone finishes telling a story.

SIMONE
So then I said to the judge if he wanted to hold me in contempt then he could but I wasn’t going to budge because my client deserved a fair hearing.

MAY
You did not!

SIMONE
Oh yes I did.

HARRY
What did he say back?

SIMONE
He dismissed the case of course.

MAY
(Sarcastic)
Oh, of course.

SIMONE
Hey, sometimes you’ve just gotta tell it like it is. Especially when it’s for a good cause.

MAY
Well mom has lots of experience with that.

ATHENA
Hey now--

SIMONE
(Intrigued)
Oh really?

HARRY
Oh ya, mom’s always doing tons of crazy stuff at work. Last year she landed a plane on the 110 freeway.

SIMONE
You did not!

MAY
And her and our stepdad rescued a whole bunch of people from a capsizing cruise ship in the middle of a hurricane.

ATHENA
We did get up to some pretty crazy stuff.

HARRY
Oh, and don’t forget about the time--

ATHENA
I think that’s enough reminiscing for one night. We don’t want Simone to think we’re just running around looking for danger.

SIMONE
It sounds like you’ve had lots of excitement. And quite the career.

ATHENA
Oh sure, and it sounds like you’ve also had some pretty exciting cases.

SIMONE
It’s why I like the work. You get to be in on the action – not quite like you are I guess – but it’s still exciting nonetheless. There’s nothing like the feeling of winning a case and knowing that your client is going to get justice.

ATHENA
Is that why you volunteer now that you’re retired?

SIMONE
Yep. Keeps me busy. And there’s so many people who need our help. We’re just trying to recruit some more volunteers so we can keep expanding.

MAY
Are there any part-time positions available?

SIMONE
Why, are you interested?

MAY
I might be. I’m still in school so I can’t be there all the time, but I might like to try it out.

SIMONE
Why don’t you come by our Safe Haven Center sometime this week? I can show you around.

MAY
That would be great, thank you.

ATHENA
Harry you should go with her, see if it’s something you’d be interested in too while you’re doing your applications.

Harry cautiously sets down his cutlery.

HARRY
Actually, I was thinking of doing something else.

ATHENA
Like what?

HARRY
(Cautious)
A road trip?

ATHENA
(Scoffing)
More travelling. Haven’t you had enough going back and forth between here and Miami all summer?

HARRY
I’m not really thinking about going to Miami.

ATHENA
Where else would you be going?

Harry reaches behind him, pulling out a stack of papers.

HARRY
I’ve compiled a tentative route...

ATHENA
Harry you cannot be serious about this. How would you even get around?

HARRY
I was thinking about taking Bobby’s old truck since he left it to me in his will--

ATHENA
So what, you’re just going to waste more time wandering around in the hope of what?

Simone and May share an awkward look as the tension heats up.

HARRY
Well, I was talking to Buck and he did something similar--

ATHENA
I’m not sure you should be taking life advice from Buck--

MAY
Hey, Buck landed on his feet.

HARRY
Exactly. He did all this travelling around to find himself and that’s exactly what he did. He loves being a firefighter and he said he never would’ve ended up here if he hadn’t been hopping around for a couple years--

ATHENA
Years? Harry you cannot just drive around for years.

HARRY
I’m not. I just want to take some time to see what other options are out there--

ATHENA
You’ve had time--

HARRY
Three months. It’s kind of a lot to ask someone to decide what they want to do for the rest of their life in three months. Besides, May took time off before going to college.

MAY
Hey, don’t bring me into this--

ATHENA
May was working while she took a gap year. It had an end date and was leading to a possible career.

HARRY
So she did the whole job thing and she went to college and she still doesn’t know what she wants! Why would this be any different if the other option runs the risk of the same result?

ATHENA
Because you would at least have an education--

HARRY
I don’t want an education! I don’t want to spend time studying stuff I don’t care about or feeling lost for another four years while being stuck in one place. I deserve to do this for myself!

Harry aggressively pushes his chair back, dropping his papers on the table.

HARRY (CONT’D)
(Calmer but still frustrated)
Thank you for dinner, I think I’m going to turn in. It was nice to meet you Simone.

SIMONE
It was nice to meet you too young man.

Harry walks out.

SIMONE (CONT’D)
Well Athena, he’s definitely your kid.

INT. DIAZ RESIDENCE, KITCHEN – NIGHT

Eddie is standing in the kitchen, watching the back door. The lights are out, leaving the room and Eddie in darkness.

The door handle TWISTS then quietly opens, Buck sliding inside the house and closing it quietly again.

Eddie flicks on the LIGHT. Buck startles, having been caught sneaking in.

EDDIE
Where have you been?

BUCK
(Trying to recover without seeming suspicious)
Uh...out?

EDDIE
Obviously but where?

BUCK
I was at Maddie’s.

Buck is obviously lying, and Eddie’s not buying it. He moves closer to Buck.

EDDIE
What were you doing there?

BUCK
Visiting my sister and nephlettes.

EDDIE
Nephlettes?

BUCK
Ya it’s like niece and nephew together. Nephlettes.

EDDIE
Ok well you missed dinner.

BUCK
I ate at Maddie’s.

EDDIE
Well I made dinner for three people.

BUCK
Ok I’m sorry, I’ll try to give you a heads-up next time. Not like leftovers are a bad thing, I’m sure someone will eat my portion later.

EDDIE
Don’t bother, Chris already did.

BUCK
See, I told you it would be fine.

Eddie moves closer.

EDDIE
Have you been drinking? You smell like beer.

BUCK
Ya, I had a bottle with dinner.

Buck takes a step back, putting some distance between them.

BUCK (CONT’D)
Hey, listen, I’m beat cause those kids kept me running around all night so I’m gonna head to bed.

Buck walks out before Eddie can say anything.

Eddie is left alone in the kitchen looking between the door Buck snuck in through and the door he fled out of. His eyes catch on the fridge, specifically the calendar pasted to the front.

Eddie walks over to the calendar, finger finding today’s date. There’s a note in the square that says “Maddie Night Shift.” Eddie looks at the door again.

EDDIE
(To himself)
What are you hiding Buckley?

INT. SAFE HAVEN CENTER – DAY

May walks into the LOBBY. The reception desk is empty, seemingly no one around. May waits a moment, taking in her surroundings before a flustered RECEPTIONIST (30s, female) enters from a back door. She becomes even more overwhelmed when she sees May.

RECEPTIONIST
I’m so sorry to keep you waiting, we’re super busy today. Can I help you?

MAY
Uh yes, I’m looking for Simone Johnson.

RECEPTIONIST
Oh you must be May. Simone mentioned you would be coming by. I’m Andrea, I can take you to Simone.

MAY
Thanks.

RECEPTIONIST (ANDREA)
(Opening the door)
Right this way.

May and Andrea walk through a hallway, passing rooms where STUDENTS are being taught. May peaks around curiously.

ANDREA (CONT’D)
We offer high school classes for students that have been kicked out of the public boards and after-school programs for anyone that doesn’t want to spend as much time at home.

MAY
You run all of this yourselves?

ANDREA
Yep. We’re always looking for more teachers and staff to help run programs. But Simone works more so on the campaigning side of things.

MAY
Campaigning?

ANDREA
Yes, our main mandate is to prevent youth incarceration at the source – offering ways to keep them out of trouble and limiting police interaction – but we’re also working on justice reform for people sentenced to life without parole when they were minors.

MAY
Wow that sounds amazing.

ANDREA
It is. Simone has really built something special.

They arrive at a door.

ANDREA (CONT’D)
And this is her office.

Andrea KNOCKS.

SIMONE
(Through the door)
Come in.

Andrea opens the door, peaking inside.

ANDREA
I’ve got May Grant here for you.

SIMONE
Perfect, send her in.

Andrea widens the door for May, then leaves. May enters the OFFICE.

SIMONE (CONT’D)
May, I’m so glad you came by.

MAY
It’s quite the place you have here.

SIMONE
It’s my pride and joy. Did Andrea give you the tour already?

MAY
Yes, she showed me around a bit. You have a lot of programs here.

SIMONE
We try. That’s why we’re always looking for volunteers.

MAY
Well I’m definitely interested.

SIMONE
Amazing. I’m working on a campaign right now that I could use some help with. But I’m not sure if you’ll be interested...

MAY
Why not?

SIMONE
It’s about police reform. We’re working on developing a community safety program for police interaction with minors in marginalized communities.

MAY
Why wouldn’t I be interested in that?

SIMONE
I wasn’t sure, with your mom being a cop and all...

MAY
I can assure you that won’t be a problem. My mom joined the police force to help change it. We’ve had our differences in the past about reform, but I’ve had enough experiences in my life to know how important this is. She’ll understand.

SIMONE
Good. Then we’d be happy to have you. When can you start?

EXT. GRANT RESIDENCE, OPEN GARAGE – DAY

“We Are Finding Who We Are” by King’s X plays quietly through the car radio in the background.

Harry is working on Bobby’s truck in the GARAGE, his head under the open hood.

Athena walks up, carrying a pile of papers.

ATHENA
When’d you learn how to do that?

Harry startles, bumping his head on the hood as he straightens up. He rubs the sore spot while taking in his Mom.

HARRY
Bobby showed me a couple years ago.

ATHENA
Bobby?

HARRY
Ya, he taught me how to change the oil, and the tires, and jump start it in case I ever needed to. Started teaching some engine stuff before...

Harry trails off, not wanting to bring up a sad past.

ATHENA
I didn’t know that.

HARRY
You were usually at work.